Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said 'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
What does Lincoln mean by "all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil"?
A: The wealth that the North has gained through the exploitation of Southern slaves.
B: The wealth that the South has gained through the labor of enslaved African Americans.
C: The wealth that has been accumulated through the exploitation of all workers in the United States.
D: The wealth that has been accumulated by all people through the exploitation of others throughout history.
1 answer
Lincoln is referring specifically to the economic benefits and wealth that the South gained from the labor of enslaved African Americans over a period of 250 years. His use of "bondman" clearly points to enslaved individuals, emphasizing the injustice of their toil without compensation. Therefore, the best answer is:
B: The wealth that the South has gained through the labor of enslaved African Americans.
