James Oakes' "The Ruling Race"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the theory suggested by James Oakes regarding the motives of slaveholders in early American history and the underlying social and economic conditions largely related to these motives. The paper summarizes Oakes' theory, which holds that the South fought to maintain the institution of slavery because of the social relationships it symbolized, and the perception that it was an economic necessity.

From the Paper:

"The immigrants to the colonies had a deep and driving need to prove themselves as men. Their status among their peers was contingent upon their economic success and that was, to a great degree, derived from the ownership of slaves. Owning slaves was a mark of accomplishment that set the man as master as well as owner. To own a slave was the primary goal of many, if not most, of the immigrants (THE RULING RACE, p. 42). Slaveholding was a status symbol that allowed members of the lower class to rise to the level of a "gentleman." Owning a slave became a symbol of manly courage as well as social class. The social system in which the slaveholder lived demanded that they maintain their status through the ownership of slaves. Their reputations as "gentlemen" were at stake should slavery be abolished."

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