Cannibals all! or, Slaves without masters

"Cannibals All! or, Slaves Without Masters," published in 1857 by George Fitzhugh, is a controversial work that defends the institution of slavery in the United States. Fitzhugh, a Southern lawyer and social theorist, argues that slavery is a more humane and stable social system compared to the wage labor prevalent in the industrial North. He contends that free individuals are subjected to the brutal whims of the market, likening their plight to that of slaves who, according to him, are cared for and protected by their masters. Fitzhugh’s work challenges contemporary notions of freedom and capitalism, raising complex and troubling questions about class, race, and human relationships. His writing is provocative, steeped in the rhetoric of paternalism and the belief that the enslaved are better off under the guidance of their masters. While it reflects the rationale of pro-slavery thought, it serves as a stark reminder of the historical justifications used to perpetuate systemic oppression.