Final answer:
Eric Foner argues that slavery was integral to the economic and political development of the United States. He provides evidence from primary sources to support his argument. An opposing viewpoint could focus on social and cultural motivations for slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
One historian whose interpretation of the nature of slavery I agree with the most is Eric Foner. Foner argues that slavery was integral to the economic and political development of the United States, and that it was deeply intertwined with racism and white supremacy.
He presents evidence from primary sources, such as slave narratives, legal documents, and economic records, to support his argument. Foner also highlights how the expansion of slavery played a significant role in shaping the country's history, including the Civil War and the debate over states' rights.
A piece of historical evidence that could be used to refute Foner's position is to argue that slavery was not primarily motivated by economic factors, but rather by social and cultural ones. For example, one could cite the religious justifications used by pro-slavery advocates or the belief in racial superiority as evidence that slavery was not primarily an economic institution.
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