The South maintained that the use of slave labor was necessary for the success of their economic system and therefore crucial to the livelihood of all Southerners. But was that true when only 1 in 30 Southerners belonged to the planter class (those who actually owned slaves) and more than 1/2 of all Southern whites were independent farmers that owned no slaves.
Was slavery necessary to the economic well-being of everyone in the South? …. If so, explain why … ? …. If not, explain who was receiving the greater economic benefits of the slavery system and why they needed to convince their fellow southerners to support the continued use of slaves ….
How did the attempt to convince all Southerns to support the institution of slavery effect the historical future of the region even after the practice was ended by the results of the Civil War … (Be sure to note those effects up to the present day) …
