Slavery’s brutal reality shocked Northerners before the Civil War − and is being whitewashed today by the White House

By: Gerry Lanosga, Indiana University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: November 17, 2025

Words: 1,416

Last Updated: 1 week ago

By Gerry Lanosga, Indiana University

Long before the first shots were fired in the Civil War, beginning early in the 19th century, Americans had been fighting a protracted war of words over slavery.

On one side, Southern planters and slavery apologists portrayed the practice of human bondage as sanctioned by God and beneficial even to enslaved people.

On the other side, opponents of slavery painted a picture of violence, injustice …

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