1. Economic Interests:
- The southern economy heavily relied on agriculture, particularly cash crops like tobacco, rice, and cotton. Plantation owners feared that a strong central government might impose policies, such as tariffs or trade regulations, that would harm their trade and profits.
2. Slavery:
- The preservation of slavery was a primary concern for many in the South. They worried that a federal government dominated by northern states, where anti-slavery sentiment was stronger, could pass legislation that would threaten or abolish the institution of slavery.
3. States' Rights:
- The South traditionally valued states' rights and local control. They were wary of a centralized government that might encroach upon their autonomy and override their local laws and traditions.
4. Fear of Northern Dominance:
- The southern states felt overshadowed by the North's growing population and economic power. They feared that a federal government would be controlled by Northern interests, leaving the South politically marginalized.
5. Historical and Cultural Differences:
- The South had distinct cultural and historical backgrounds compared to the North. These differences fueled fears that Northern values and social changes might undermine their way of life.
6. Influence of Planters and Elites:
- Southern society was dominated by wealthy planters and elites who held political power. These elites often saw the federal government as a threat to their authority and social status.
7. Debts and Western Land:
- The South owed significant debts from the Revolutionary War and desired access to western territories for expansion. They feared that the federal government might adopt policies unfavorable to their financial interests and land claims.
Therefore, the southern states' preference for anti-federalism was driven by concerns over economic interests, the preservation of slavery, states' rights, fear of Northern dominance, cultural differences, and the protection of the power of the planter class.