Slavery in 19th century essays

Slavery in 19th century essays In the nineteenth century, supporters of slavery in used legal, religious, and economic arguments to defend the institution of slavery. Southern plantation owners depended heavily on slavery. Cotton, their main export, required tedious slave labor. Thus, southern supporters of slavery employed whatever tactics they could in order to keep their slaves from emancipation, which worked and extended slavery for a few more decades. One of the ways Southerners defended slavery was through legal means. In 1831-1832, Virginia legislature debated and eventually defeated various emancipation proposals. This legislation was a turning point in the pro-slavery fight, because soon after all the salave states enforced harsher slave codes and also ban emancipation. Also, when Northern abolitionists were increasingly vocal against slavery, in 1836, southerners charted the gag appeal, which required all antislavery appeals to be ignored without debate. Southerns went so far as to even break the laws in the Bill of Rights. In 1835, the government ordered southern postmasters to destroy abolitionist material and told officials to arrest postmasters who did not destroy abolitionist writing. Thus, they were breaking the 1st amendment in the Bill of Rights which guarenteed Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press. Southererns used religious means of supporters their argument as well. They claimed that slavery was supported by the Bible and also by the widom of Aristotle. The slaves were becoming Chistian, which was far better than barbarians of the jungle. Slavemasters therefore encouraged religion in slaves, not only because it would keep them tame, but it would also suppress Northern abolitionist arguments. As to an economic standpoint, Southerners argued that freeing slaves would cause Americas economy to collapse. Free blacks, they said, would cause fierce competition in factory jobs, taking away many of immigrant jobs held by the Irish ...

Where Immigrants Can Find Free English Classes

Where Immigrants Can Find Free English Classes Language barriers are still among the most formidable obstacles for immigrants coming to the United States, and English can be a difficult language for new arrivals to learn. Many immigrants are ready and willing to learn, even if just to improve their fluency in English. Nationally, the demand for English as a second language (ESL) classes have consistently exceeded supply. Classes on the Internet The internet has made it convenient for immigrants to learn the language from their homes. Online youll find sites with English tutorials, tips, and exercises that are an invaluable resource for beginning and intermediate speakers. Free online English classes such as USA Learns allow immigrants to learn with a teacher or independently and prepare for citizenship tests. Free online ESL courses for both adults and children are invaluable for those who cannot get to classrooms due to schedules, transportation issues, or other barriers. To partake in free online ESL classes, learners need fast broadband internet, speakers or headphones, and a sound card. Courses offer skills activities in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Many courses will teach life skills that are so important to succeed at work and in a new community, and instructional materials are almost always online. Colleges and Schools Immigrants with beginner, intermediate or high intermediate English-language skills seeking free English classes and looking for more structured learning should check with community colleges in their areas. There are over 1,200 community and junior college campuses scattered across the United States, and the overwhelming majority of them offer ESL classes. Perhaps the most attractive advantage of community colleges is cost, which is 20% to 80% less expensive than four-year universities. Many also offer ESL programs in the evenings to accommodate immigrants work schedules. ESL courses in college serve also to help immigrants better understand American culture, improve employment opportunities, and participate in their childrens educations. Immigrants seeking free English classes can also contact their local public school districts. Many high schools have ESL classes in which students get to watch videos, engage in language games, and get real practice watching and hearing others speak English. There might be a small fee at some schools, but the opportunity to practice and improve fluency in a classroom setting is invaluable. Labor, Career and Resource Centers Free English classes for immigrants run by nonprofit groups, sometimes in partnership with local government agencies, may be found at local labor, career, and resource centers. One of the best examples of these is the El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center in Jupiter, Fla., which offers English classes three nights a week, primarily to immigrants from Central America. Many resource centers also teach computer classes that enable students to continue their language studies on the internet. Resource centers tend to encourage a relaxed environment for learning, offer parenting skills workshops and citizenship classes, counseling and perhaps legal aid, and co-workers and spouses can schedule classes together to support one another.