Economic interests: Southerners' opposition to abolition was rooted in their economic interests. The Southern economy was heavily dependent on slavery, and the plantation system was a major source of wealth for the region's elites. Abolition threatened to disrupt the Southern economy and displace the power of the plantation owners. In contrast, many Northerners were not directly tied to the slave economy and were more likely to see abolition as a moral imperative.
Social norms and culture: Southern society was deeply intertwined with slavery, and the institution was often seen as a necessary part of the social order. Many Southerners believed that Black people were inferior to Whites, and they saw abolition as a threat to their way of life. By contrast, Northern society was more diverse and tolerant, and many Northerners were more likely to believe in the equality of all races.
Political power: The South had significant political power in the antebellum United States, and this allowed them to block or delay abolitionist efforts. They were able to control the presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court, and they used their power to protect slavery. Northerners, on the other hand, had less political power and were less able to influence national policy.
Geographic divide: The North and South were geographically divided by the Mason-Dixon line, and this line represented a major cultural and political boundary. The North was more industrialized and urbanized, while the South was more rural and agricultural. These different economic and social structures contributed to the different attitudes toward slavery in the two regions.
In summary, Northerners and Southerners differed in their opposition to abolition due to differences in economic interests, social norms and culture, political power, and geographic divide. These factors contributed to the growing tensions between the North and South that eventually led to the Civil War.