Fitzhugh and Proslavery

Paternalism is the idea supported by Fitzhugh that states “the master, has a right to the obedience and labor of the slave, but the slave has also his mutual rights in the master” (Liberty 299). He argues that this whole concept is necessary to for slavery because it also gives “rights” to the slave. Fitzhugh also has a very strong opinion on the “free market”. He believes that slavery is better because although African American individuals were called slaves, the slave-owners and the slaves both shared a “community of interest” (403). This community of interest that both the owners and slaves had was unheard of in a free market. He also goes on to explain how the slaves in the southern states were some of the happiest and “freest” people in the world. Writers went on to explain how freedom would not have been possible without slavery, and this statement could not be any truer. George Fitzhugh’s view of women compared to slavery was based on dependence. He compares women and slaves by saying that they are weak, dependent, and helpless. Slaves depend on their owners for guidance and protection just as a woman and children would look up to her husband or father for security and protection in the home.