Fitzhugh essays

Fitzhugh essays George Fitzhugh in Southern Thought presents an argument of a new society in the South. The South must take for granted the fact that slavery is right and that a new ideology, a new philosophy must be created off the souths foundation of an agricultural slave based society. Fitzhugh calls for complete independence and isolation from all outside influences (1910) to the point of becoming a separate nation in order for the South to develop its own distinctive brand of thought. Fitzhugh attacks a capitalistic society believing that no security can be found in it and only from slavery can a society be free of immoral activities. Fitzhugh envisioned a South that incorporated slavery of every race as he compared the South to ancient societies that used slavery based on what a person is born into. Fitzhugh believed the need for the South to diversify her economy from an agricultural one to an industrial one to advance the Souths economy and education. Fitzhugh sought to prove historic ally the failure of a free capitalistic society, but when we turn to assess Fitzhughs critique we discover, at both its explicit and its ramified level, that its strengths are also are its weaknesses. One of the most prominent aspects of Fitzhughs argument is that he champions a society, a world in fact, based on slavery; not a race based slavery but the institution in general. In fact he believes that a defense of slavery on racial terms is absurd. Instead, he argues slavery must be championed as a necessary social arrangement; a system established for the advancement of the country where everyone benefits, both the weak and the strong, rich and the poor. Fitzhugh desires a new society based on slavery that will help society as a whole. Fitzhugh makes an attack on capitalism revealing the system in its more negative light and contrasting it to the charity of the slave system. For Fitzhugh, no secur...