Question

name:
analyzing john c. calhoun’s defense of slavery
full text: john c. calhoun’s speech to the u.s. senate
“i hold that in the present state of civilization, where two races of different origin, and distinguished by color, and other physical differences, as well as intellectual, are brought together, the relation now existing in the slaveholding states between the two, is, instead of an evil, a good—a positive good.
never before has the black race of central africa, from the dawn of history to the present day, attained a condition so civilized and so improved, not only physically, but morally and intellectually.
in the meantime, the white or european race, has not degenerated. it has kept pace with its brethren in other sections of the union where slavery does not exist. it is odious to make comparison; but i appeal to all sides whether the south is not equal in virtue, intelligence, patriotism, courage, disinterestedness, and all the high qualities which adorn our nature.
compare the slave’s condition with the tenants of the poorhouses in the more civilized portions of europe—look at the sick, and the old and infirm slave, on one hand, in the midst of his family and friends, under the kind superintending care of his master and mistress, and compare it with the forlorn and wretched condition of the pauper in the poorhouse.”
part 1: close reading
write words, phrases, or sentences from the passage that reveal calhoun’s beliefs about slavery.

• evidence of “positive good” belief
• evidence about racial hierarchy
• evidence comparing enslaved people to europeans
• evidence describing enslavers as benevolent

part 2: interpretation questions

1. what does calhoun mean when he calls slavery “a positive good”?

Explanation:

Answer:

• Evidence of "positive good" belief: "the relation now existing in the slaveholding States between the two, is, instead of an evil, a good—a positive good."
• Evidence about racial hierarchy: "two races of different origin, and distinguished by color, and other physical differences, as well as intellectual"
• Evidence comparing enslaved people to Europeans: "Compare [the slave's] condition with the tenants of the poorhouses in the more civilized portions of Europe—look at the sick, and the old and infirm slave, on one hand, in the midst of his family and friends, under the kind superintending care of his master and mistress, and compare it with the forlorn and wretched condition of the pauper in the poorhouse."
• Evidence describing enslavers as benevolent: "under the kind superintending care of his master and mistress"

1. He means that slavery is beneficial rather than harmful, arguing it has improved the enslaved Black race physically, morally, and intellectually, and also does not harm the white race, while claiming enslaved people have better lives than European poor.