George Fitzhugh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Fitzhugh
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Circa 1855
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| Born | 4 November 1806 |
| Died | 30 July 1881 (aged 74) Huntsville, Texas, U.S.
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Notable work
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Sociology for the South, or, the Failure of Free Society (1845) Cannibals All!, or, Slaves Without Masters (1857) |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Metcalf Brockenbrough |
| Era | 19th century philosophy |
| Region | Western philosophy American philosophy |
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Main interests
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Influenced
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George Fitzhugh (born November 4, 1806 – died July 30, 1881) was an American thinker from the Southern United States before the American Civil War. He wrote about society and argued for slavery.
Fitzhugh believed that Black people needed the structure and protection of slavery. He thought that without it, they would struggle in a free society. He also criticized the economic system of the Northern U.S. and Great Britain. He felt it caused conflict between rich and poor people. Fitzhugh argued that slavery made sure people were financially safe and behaved well.
Fitzhugh was a lawyer, but he became famous for his writings. He was a leading supporter of slavery among Southern plantation owners. His first book, Sociology for the South (1854), was one of the first English books to use the word "sociology" in its title. His second book was Cannibals All! (1857).
Unlike most people in the South, Fitzhugh thought slavery could apply to all races. In 1860, he even suggested that white people could be enslaved. He believed that some people were "born with saddles on their backs" and others "booted and spurred to ride them." He also strongly disagreed with the idea of "equal rights" from the Declaration of Independence.
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George Fitzhugh's Early Life and Career
George Fitzhugh was born on November 4, 1806, in Prince William County, Virginia. His father, George Fitzhugh Sr., was a doctor. When George was six, his family moved to Alexandria, Virginia. He went to public school, but he mostly taught himself by reading many books.
In 1829, he married Mary Metcalf Brockenbrough. They moved to Port Royal, Virginia, where he started his law practice. He lived in an old house he inherited from his wife's family. He spent most of his time there, reading books and pamphlets.
Influences and Connections
Fitzhugh was greatly influenced by the writer Thomas Carlyle. He read Carlyle's works often and mentioned them in his own writings. Interestingly, Fitzhugh also read anti-slavery pamphlets like The Liberator.
He did not get involved in politics himself. However, he knew many important political figures. In 1855, he traveled North and debated with abolitionists Gerrit Smith and Wendell Phillips. In 1857, Fitzhugh worked as a law clerk in Washington, D.C. He wrote articles for Virginia newspapers and for DeBow's Review, a popular Southern magazine.
Later Life and Death
In 1862, Fitzhugh moved to Richmond, Virginia. He worked for the Treasury of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. After the war, he briefly worked as a judge for the Freedmen's Court. This court helped formerly enslaved people.
After his wife died in 1877, he moved to Kentucky. Later, he moved to his daughter's home in Huntsville, Texas. George Fitzhugh died there on July 30, 1881. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville.
Fitzhugh's Main Writings
George Fitzhugh wrote two important books. These books shared his strong opinions about society and slavery.
Understanding Sociology for the South
His book, Sociology for the South, or, the Failure of Free Society (1854), was a major challenge to the ideas of free societies. He disagreed with thinkers like Adam Smith and John Locke. These thinkers believed in freedom and equality.
Fitzhugh argued that moving away from feudalism (an old system where land was controlled by lords) and embracing freedom had harmed workers. He thought that the idea of a free society had failed. He believed society should return to an older way of life.
He wrote that freedom and equality were new ideas. He claimed that ancient societies had many slaves. He also said that countries like France and the Northern U.S. had tried the "experiment" of universal freedom and equality. He believed this experiment had failed. He pointed to unhappy people, rising crime, and protests as proof.
Fitzhugh thought that every society needs a base layer of people. In free societies, he argued, the poor and weak were crushed by those above them. He claimed that slavery protected this group. He said slaves always had a home and a connection to the land. He believed that slavery was better than the harsh conditions faced by many free workers.
He suggested that slavery was an old way of organizing society. He proposed expanding slavery to fix the problems caused by freedom and capitalism. He believed that ancient Greece and Rome became great because of slavery. He thought it gave people the time and resources to develop arts and philosophy.
Fitzhugh suggested that all free Black people should be enslaved again. He claimed they could not improve their lives when free. He also said that slavery was the only way to govern them. He was unique because he also suggested that working-class white people could be enslaved. He thought this would solve the problems of poverty and competition.
Fitzhugh's Key Ideas
His Views on Socialism
Fitzhugh's ideas about Socialism changed over time. Sometimes, he strongly criticized socialists. He linked them to abolitionists, saying that ending slavery was the first step towards socialism. He believed socialism would destroy religion, government, marriage, and property.
However, at other times, he agreed with socialists about the problems of free market economies. He thought that free competition was bad for society. He also agreed that some shared property might be good. But he disagreed on how to fix these problems. He thought returning to older forms of society, like slavery, was better. He felt that socialist ideas were untested and went against human nature.
After the Civil War, Fitzhugh changed his mind about capitalism. He began to see that land ownership by a few people could also "civilize" the landless. He thought it made them like "slaves to capital." He believed this system forced people to work and develop good habits. He even said that civilization could not begin without this kind of control over labor.
The Idea of Universal Slavery
George Fitzhugh was one of the few Southern thinkers who supported slavery for all races. He strongly disliked wage labor and laissez-faire capitalism (where the government does not interfere with the economy). He argued that free labor was actually crueler than slavery. He believed it made workers feel disconnected and led to movements like socialism and feminism.
As a solution, Fitzhugh suggested that the caring relationship of the plantation system should be extended to poor white people. He saw slavery as a more humane choice for both Black and white workers. He thought it would fix the problems of capitalism. While his idea of universal slavery was not popular, he promoted it until 1867. After that, he admitted that wage labor could be a suitable replacement for slavery.
Belief in Strong Leadership
Many of Fitzhugh's ideas were considered extreme even for his time. He questioned whether representative governments could truly protect slavery. He was a strong supporter of traditional ways and believed that a military dictatorship might be needed to keep slavery.
Fitzhugh believed in absolute power, even if it meant limiting the rights of slave owners. Some historians think his radical ideas came from his support of slavery. Others point to the influence of Thomas Carlyle on his belief in strong leaders. Some even see Fitzhugh's ideas as an early form of fascist thinking.
Works by George Fitzhugh
Books
- (1854). Sociology for the South, or, the Failure of Free Society.
- (1857). Cannibals All!, or Slaves Without Masters.
Other Writings
- A Controversy on Slavery Between George Fitzhugh and A. Hogeboom, 1857.
- Ante-bellum: Writings of George Fitzhugh and Hinton Rowan Helper on Slavery, 1960.
