What was the general view of slave owners towards the enslaved population?

Slave owners generally viewed the enslaved population as property rather than as human beings with rights and dignity. This dehumanization was a fundamental aspect of the institution of slavery, as it allowed slave owners to justify their control, exploitation, and often brutal treatment of enslaved individuals. By viewing enslaved people as property, owners could disregard their autonomy and humanity, enabling them to enforce labor without regard for the suffering it caused.

This perspective was supported by legal frameworks and cultural attitudes of the time, which classified enslaved individuals as chattel—essentially, as goods that could be bought, sold, or traded. This property-centric view was crucial for maintaining the economic system that relied heavily on slave labor, particularly in agricultural production. The dehumanization also facilitated a social hierarchy that kept enslaved people subjugated and marginalized in society, reinforcing racial inequalities that persisted long after slavery.

In contrast, the other options suggest perspectives that were not commonly held among slave owners. The idea of viewing enslaved people as equal partners in the economy does not align with the reality of the power dynamics of slavery. Similarly, while some slave owners claimed they had a moral obligation to “care for” their slaves, this often masked the harsh realities of their lives under slavery