Part 1 of Essay
Slavery played a central role in the history of the United States. It existed in all the English mainland colonies and came to dominate agricultural production in the states from Maryland south. Eight of the first 12 presidents of the United States were slave owners. Debate over slavery increasingly dominated American poli ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... an apology to African-Americans for slavery. An apology by the government for slavery would not heal the damage caused by two hundred forty four years of slavery. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Says. "… a simple apology, without anything attached to it seems a little empty to me" ("Should the Government" 9). There should be some type of reparation payments. If not monetary at least the forty acres and a mule which was promised to the slaves for participating in the Civil War. "A government apology for slave ....