1. Paternalism: Many slave owners saw themselves as paternalistic figures who had a responsibility to take care of their slaves and provide for their basic needs. They believed that slavery was a necessary institution for the maintenance of social order and that slaves were better off under their control than they would be if they were free.
2. Racism: Almost all slave owners were racist, believing that black people were inferior to white people and that slavery was justified because of this inferiority. They saw black people as lazy, ignorant, and incapable of taking care of themselves without the guidance of white people.
3. Violence: Many slave owners used violence to control their slaves. They believed that physical punishment was necessary to maintain discipline and to keep slaves from getting out of line. Some slave owners were sadistic and enjoyed inflicting pain on their slaves, while others used violence more sparingly.
4. Hypocrisy: Many slave owners claimed to be Christians and to believe in the equality of all men, but they still justified the institution of slavery. They argued that black people were not really men and that they were therefore not entitled to the same rights and privileges as white people.
5. Greed: Many slave owners were motivated by greed. They saw their slaves as a valuable asset that could be exploited for their own financial gain. They often worked their slaves to death and did not provide them with adequate food, clothing, or shelter.