The Science of Abolition: How Slaveholders Became the Enemies of Progress

The Science of Abolition: How Slaveholders Became the Enemies of Progress by Eric Herschthal

Science and technology became adopted by abolitionists as they advocated the end of slavery. With technology it would be possible to do more with fewer people. Equality and freedom override ideas of "inferior blacks" that had been used to justify slavery. However, slaveholders still clung to views of inferiority to justify slavery. Eventually the abolitionist science prevailed. Despite appearances of objectivity, science is spun to support an individuals beliefs. Interestingly, there were some black scientific organizations that produced research in isolation of the white establishment.