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While it is never a good idea to generalize, studies have shown that large majorities of southern whites accepted slavery. Some even felt it was the right thing, because they believed that black people (then called "negroes") were inferior and meant to be slaves. But other southern whites were somewhat more ambivalent about it; we know this because even though they kept slaves, they later arranged to set them free. It is also true that the way slaves were treated varied: some owners were harsh and brutal, while others were somewhat more humane. Still, there was little public discussion about whether keeping slaves was ethical, and most southern whites seemed to support slavery as a necessity for running a plantation.

Based on newspaper and magazine articles of that time, we can conclude that a large majority of southern whites were in favor of slavery, or if they had their doubts, they were not vocal about them. But it should be noted that there were a few southerners who were opposed to slavery and who did their part to try to end it. Unfortunately, their views were not the dominant ones, so slavery persisted.

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Did slavery warp southern whites?

Yes, slavery had a profound impact on Southern whites, shaping their beliefs about race, power, and privilege. The system of slavery normalized exploitation and dehumanization, leading to deeply ingrained attitudes of superiority and entitlement among many white Southerners. This legacy continues to influence social dynamics and racial disparities in the region today.


What led many poor southern whites to support the institution of slavery?

Many poor southern whites supported slavery due to economic reasons, as it provided them with opportunities for employment in agriculture and industry. Additionally, they believed in the racial hierarchy that justified their societal status above enslaved African Americans. Socially, they also feared competition for jobs and were influenced by the propaganda that portrayed slavery as necessary for maintaining their way of life.


Why did Most Southern whites not own slaves but still supported the slave system?

Most Southern whites, even if they didn't own slaves themselves, supported the slave system because they believed it reinforced their social status and economic well-being. They also perceived slaves as essential to the Southern economy and saw slavery as a fundamental part of their way of life and culture. Additionally, many non-slaveholding whites subscribed to the racial hierarchy that justified and maintained the institution of slavery.


What were the major social divisions among the southern whites?

Among southern whites, major social divisions existed along lines of class and race. The wealthiest and most influential were typically white landowners and plantation owners, followed by small-scale farmers, poor whites, and white laborers. Additionally, racial divisions were prevalent, with white supremacy and the system of slavery creating hierarchies that marginalized and oppressed African Americans.


What percent of southern whites owned fewer than 5slaves?

Around 75% of southern whites owned fewer than five slaves. The majority of white southerners owned no slaves at all, as slaves were primarily held by a small percentage of wealthy plantation owners.

Related Questions

On what subject did northern whites and southern whites agree?

slavery


Why northern whites who opposed slavery and southern whites who supported slavery both believed they were fighting to defend liberty?

You have to understand the war had VERY LITTLE to do with slavery.


Which groups of southern whites did not defend slavery?

mountain people


What was the attitude of Southern Whites towards slavery before the Civil War?

They felt slave labor was crucial to keep the economy going strong.


Did the patriots want slavery?

The Southern whites were FOR slavery and the Northern whites were AGAINST slavery. So using the word patriots isn't correct because Americans are all considered patriots.


What might have been the attitude of yeomen and poor white southerners towards slavery?

I think that some of the Yeoman did not like the slavery along with the poor whites because Yeoman owned few slaves or none at all and the poor whites survived by hunting, fishing, raising small gardens, and doing odd jobs.


What was the shoshone's attitude towards whites?

they hated them because they were trying to take away there land


What arguments did the southern pro slavery whites employ to defend slavery?

Southern pro-slavery whites argued that slavery was a necessary economic institution that was vital to the Southern way of life. They believed that slavery was justified by the Bible and that it was beneficial for both slaves and slave owners. Additionally, they argued that African Americans were inferior and better off under the care of white slave owners.


How did slavery start in the southern colonies?

Slavery began in Virginia and Maryland on tobacco farms. Slavery became more and more important as farms became bigger. That divided the Southern whites into two classes.


What books did pro-slavery Southern whites use to defend slavery?

Pro-slavery Southern whites used religious texts like the Bible to argue that God condoned slavery, as well as pseudoscientific works like "Types of Mankind" to promote the idea of racial superiority. They also referenced historical and legal justifications for slavery, such as the concept of states' rights and property rights.


What was the attitude of many southern whites after the us civil war?

After the Civil War, many southern whites harbored resentment and bitterness towards the North and the federal government due to their defeat and the loss of their way of life, including slavery. They often viewed the Reconstruction efforts as punitive and intrusive, leading to widespread resistance to changes being imposed, such as civil rights for freed slaves. This animosity contributed to the rise of white supremacist groups and a commitment to maintaining white dominance through segregation and discriminatory laws. Overall, the attitude was marked by a desire to restore the social hierarchy that had existed before the war.


Did slavery warp southern whites?

Yes, slavery had a profound impact on Southern whites, shaping their beliefs about race, power, and privilege. The system of slavery normalized exploitation and dehumanization, leading to deeply ingrained attitudes of superiority and entitlement among many white Southerners. This legacy continues to influence social dynamics and racial disparities in the region today.