A perspective to slavery in American history?

Wow. Such a broad question, but I'll try my best. First off, I just finished an AP American History class with a phenomenal teacher, so hopefully I'll give you some good information. It will be general information though, because you need to research further on your own. SLAVERY IN AMERICA: 1. Varies through time periods. Most interesting time period was pre Civil War. I. Pre Civil War. Slavery was one of the many issues of the war. The South felt as though they were superior to slaves and felt that slavery was one of the few things they had control over during the time before the Civil War. The North began the abolitionist movement and condemned slavery. Anti-Slavery activists ranged from Frederick Douglass to William Lloyd Garrison (He wrote "The Liberator"). The North was entering an age of industrialism and always had the upper hand when it came to economic power. The South had little control of the economy and was in an economic rut of infancy, because they were dependent on crops and slaves. Which is why they clung to their "rights" to slavery. Abraham Lincoln did the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War to free the slaves. But freed slaves still faced awful treatment after the Civil War, from things like the Jim Crow Laws and the Black Codes. Slavery is such a broad topic that I suggest you narrow it down to one time period. Slavery was a big issue, but it was not the biggest issue during the time of the Civil War. It is a misconception that people believe that the Civil War was brought about over slavery, because that was not the only issue. In fact, it wasn't even the biggest issue. The South's jealousy over the North's booming economy was the major problem. But please do more research. Form your own opinions and thoughts. Speak with an intelligent history teacher. And understand not just slavery, but other elements that played into it as well. Happy studying! History is a fascinating thing. Just remember that when having trouble writing a history essay stick to the SPER! (Social, Political, Economic, and Religious aspects). Those always revolve around ANY TIME PERIOD and always relate to ANY TIME PERIOD!!