Economic dependence: The southern economy was heavily dependent on slavery, with agriculture (particularly cotton plantations) being the main economic activity. The plantation owners relied on slave labor to cultivate and harvest their crops, and the profits generated from these crops contributed significantly to the southern economy. In contrast, the northern economy was more diversified and included industries such as manufacturing, commerce, and finance.
Social structure: The social structure in the South was deeply influenced by slavery. The society was highly stratified, with a small wealthy elite (mostly plantation owners) at the top and a large enslaved population at the bottom. In the North, society was more egalitarian, with a larger middle class and a smaller concentration of wealth.
Political power: In the South, political power was largely held by the plantation owners and their allies. They dominated the state legislatures and congressional delegations, ensuring that laws and policies favored their interests and protected the institution of slavery. In the North, political power was more dispersed, with diverse economic interests having greater influence on political decisions.
Ideological perspectives: Southerners generally justified slavery on the grounds of racial superiority and the belief that Africans were inherently inferior and suited for servitude. Northerners, on the other hand, were more likely to view slavery as morally wrong and inconsistent with the principles of liberty and equality enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
These differences between the South and the North eventually led to tensions and conflicts that culminated in the American Civil War (1861-1865). The war resulted in the abolition of slavery and the defeat of the Confederacy, marking a profound transformation in the social, economic, and political landscape of the United States.