Justifications for Slavery

Some people thought that slavery made Africans happier

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

Some people thought God approved of slavery

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

Slavery was not against the law

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

Slaves were used to work on plantations in America growing sugar and cotton.

The plantation owners made lots of money because they didn't have to pay the slaves wages.

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

Slaves could be sold for $1200 each, so people who brought them from Africa could make lots of money

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

Slaveowners thought the slaves were not like humans, more like dogs or horses, and that white people were better than them

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

The sugar trade in Britain was worth 20 million pounds a year.

Sugar and cotton traders made lots of money and became very rich.

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

Some people believed Black people were not as clever as white people and needed telling what to do, like children

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

Some people believed Black people were lazy and without white people telling them what to do, would sit around all day doing nothing

• Economic

• Religious

• Social

The Bible talks about slavery, so some people believed this meant slavery was ok

• Economic

• Religious

• Social