Yes, southern politicians largely supported slavery as it was integral to the economy and social structure of the South. They defended it as a necessary institution for agricultural production, particularly in cotton farming, and often argued for states' rights to maintain it. This support was a significant factor in the political tensions leading up to the Civil War.
they supported slavery
The proviso would limit the spread of slavery- NoVaNeT :]
The proviso would limit the spread of slavery- NoVaNeT :]
Southern politicians opposed the Wilmot Proviso because it aimed to prohibit slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico following the Mexican-American War. They viewed the proviso as a direct threat to the institution of slavery and the rights of slaveholders, fearing it would limit their economic and political power. Additionally, they believed that states should have the right to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, seeing the proviso as an infringement on states' rights. This opposition was rooted in the broader context of maintaining a balance of power between free and slave states in Congress.
Politicians might use pork barrel spending to win support from their constituents.
Southern cotton-growers (the 'Plantocracy') and their local politicians.
cause they can
they supported slavery
The proviso would limit the spread of slavery- NoVaNeT :]
The proviso would limit the spread of slavery- NoVaNeT :]
cause they can
There were many abolitionist activists and politicians who wanted to get rid of slavery.
Individuals who supported the Fugitive Slave Act were those who believed in upholding the institution of slavery and enforcing laws that allowed slave owners to recapture escaped slaves. Pro-slavery advocates, Southern plantation owners, and politicians who favored preserving the economic and social system of slavery were most likely to support the Fugitive Slave Act.
Southern politicians against slavery were relatively few and often faced significant opposition within their own regions. Notable figures included John Quincy Adams, who, though a Northern politician, advocated against the expansion of slavery in the South, and George William Curtis, a Southern-born abolitionist. Additionally, some members of the Democratic Party, like Thomas Hart Benton, expressed anti-slavery sentiments, though they were often marginalized. Overall, the anti-slavery sentiment in the South was limited, as most political power was held by pro-slavery advocates.
There were various individuals and groups who did not believe that slavery should be abolished, including some Southern plantation owners, pro-slavery advocates, and politicians who benefited economically from the institution of slavery. Additionally, some argued that slavery was a necessary component of the economy and society at the time.
Northern workers opposed slavery; southern planters support it
The politicians in the North that advocated anti-slavery were called Abolitionists.