Re: [OPE] Marx's explanation regarding the need for the U.S. South to obtain new territory

You miss out the 'to much of'... which leaves limited room for Marx's
point to stand.

In any case it is a secondary point.

PB.

From: ope-bounces@lists.csuchico.edu [mailto:ope-bounces@lists.csuchico.edu]
On Behalf Of Paul Zarembka
Sent: 15 February 2011 17:34
To: Outline on Political Economy
Subject: [OPE] Marx's explanation regarding the need for the U.S. South to
obtain new territory

Marx wrote that the deteriorating soil resulting from the crops being grown
in the U.S. South led to the need for slave masters to expand onto new land.
There are two pillars of such a view: 1. the soil was truly deteriorating,
and 2. the movement into new territories would resolve the economic problem.

Regarding the second point, I cite the following:

"Since slavery was unadaptable to much of the territorial lands, which
eventually would be admitted as free states, the South became more anxious
about maintaining its position as an equal in the Union. Southerners thus
strongly supported the annexation of Texas (certain to be a slave state) and
the Mexican War and even agitated for the annexation of Cuba."
(www.us-civilwar.com)

In other words, it is stated above the Marx is wrong that slavery could be
incorporated into the new lands (it was 'unadaptable' thereto).

If he is wrong on this point, then Marx was incorrect in his explanation for
the expansion drive of slave masters. Slavery becomes disconnected from
that economic basis Marx presented.

Comments?

Paul Z.

-- 
=====
(V23) HIDDEN HISTORY OF 9-11, Seven Stories Press, 2nd ed. softcover
(V24) TRANSITIONS IN LATIN AMERICA (V25) WHY CAPITALISM SURVIVES CRISES
(V26) THE NATIONAL QUESTION AND THE QUESTION OF CRISIS
====>  Research in Political Economy, Emerald Group, Bingley, UK
====>  P.Zarembka, ed., www.emeraldinsight.com/books.htm?issn=0161-7230 
====>  or www.buffalo.edu/~zarembka 
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Received on Tue Feb 15 18:30:15 2011