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American conservatism circa 1776
(lemmy.world)
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this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2024
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I agree, at least to a degree. There's a right side and wrong side to the argument, but it's not the kind of stark moral contrast the way there is between Unionists and Confederates. It's more of a "Are you really so uncreative as to be unable to see that being ruled without a say in your own governance is some feudal shite?" than a "Jesus fuck you are fighting for the worst institution known to man."
4 out of the 7 Founding Fathers were staunch abolitionists (Jay, Franklin, Hamilton, Adams). 1 became an abolitionist later in life (Washington). 1 turned against slavery half-heartedly (Jefferson). Only one was an ideological slaver (Madison).
Genuine question as a non American, if they were really staunch abolitionists why didn't they abolish slavery when they created the US?
The abolitionists didn't hold enough sway. While some argue that there were seven, based upon whatever criteria, there were far more people involved in the founding of the country. Due to the pre-industrial economics of the time, slavers had significant financial influence. The US Civil War was seen as inevitable by the likes of Thomas Paine, another abolitionist and founder - not codifying universal suffrage was just kicking the can down the road.
I view it as similar to Romulus, people love to simplify historical figures to fit in a neater narrative. Rather than understanding the dozens of leaders involved in the creation of the United States, it's easier to just assign it to 7 figureheads. Eventually maybe people will start thinking Washington was raised by bald eagles!