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Cannibals all! or, Slaves without masters   By:

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Cannibals All! or Slaves Without Masters by George Fitzhugh is a thought-provoking and controversial examination of slavery and capitalism in the mid-19th century United States. The book offers a unique and somewhat disturbing perspective on these complex issues, making it a challenging yet valuable read.

Fitzhugh presents his arguments through a series of essays, where he defends and justifies the institution of slavery while critiquing industrial capitalism. He asserts that the workings of capitalism exploit workers and create a society where the majority are effectively enslaved to a small ruling elite. Fitzhugh portrays slavery as a more humane and benevolent system, suggesting that slaves were better off under the care of their masters than as workers in the free labor market.

The author's language and arguments can be difficult to digest for contemporary readers, as he often uses racially charged and offensive terminology. It is important to approach this book with caution and an awareness of the historical context in which it was written. While Fitzhugh's views may shock and repel modern sensibilities, it is nevertheless essential to engage with his perspective in order to fully understand the complexities of the slavery debate during that time.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to challenge popular narratives and assumptions about both slavery and capitalism. Fitzhugh's analysis encourages readers to question their own beliefs and to critically examine the dual systems of slavery and capitalism that shaped American society. Even though his arguments may seem extreme and at times morally repugnant, they force readers to confront the uncomfortable realities of the past and to ponder the broader implications for contemporary society.

Although Fitzhugh's ideas were widely criticized even during his time, particularly by abolitionists and supporters of free labor, his work remains significant in the historical discourse surrounding slavery. By presenting an alternative perspective to the prevailing abolitionist narrative, the author compels readers to confront the paradoxes and contradictions inherent in the American system at that time. While the book is far from comprehensive or definitive in its analysis, it serves as a valuable resource for those seeking a more robust understanding of the intellectual climate during the mid-19th century.

In conclusion, Cannibals All! or Slaves Without Masters by George Fitzhugh is a challenging and, at times, disturbing examination of slavery and capitalism. While the book's content may be unsettling and its arguments morally objectionable to many readers, it remains an important historical text that forces us to confront the complex realities of the antebellum era. Engaging with Fitzhugh's ideas allows us to deepen our understanding of this pivotal period in American history and to question our own assumptions about the nature of social systems and human rights.

First Page:

CANNIBALS ALL! OR, SLAVES WITHOUT MASTERS.

BY

GEORGE FITZHUGH, OF PORT ROYAL, CAROLINE, VA.

"His hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him." GEN. XVI. 12.

"Physician, heal thyself." LUKE IV. 23.

RICHMOND, VA. A. MORRIS, PUBLISHER. 1857.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by ADOLPHUS MORRIS,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Virginia.

C. H. WYNNE, PRINTER, RICHMOND.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

DEDICATION vii

PREFACE ix

INTRODUCTION xiii

CHAPTER I. The Universal Trade 25

CHAPTER II. Labor, Skill and Capital 33

CHAPTER III. Subject Continued Exploitation of Skill 58

CHAPTER IV. International Exploitation 75

CHAPTER V. False Philosophy of the Age 79

CHAPTER VI. Free Trade, Fashion and Centralization 86

CHAPTER VII... Continue reading book >>




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