Some historians believe that the southern colonies would have been able to survive without slavery. They point to the fact that other colonies in the Americas, such as New England, were able to thrive without the use of slave labor. Additionally, they argue that the southern colonies had a number of advantages, such as a favorable climate and abundant natural resources, that would have allowed them to succeed even without slavery.
Other historians believe that the southern colonies would not have been able to survive without slavery. They argue that the plantation economy of the South was heavily dependent on slave labor, and that without slaves, the southern colonies would not have been able to produce enough crops to sustain themselves. Additionally, they argue that the social and political structure of the South was built around slavery, and that without slavery, the southern colonies would have descended into chaos.
Ultimately, the question of whether the southern colonies would have succeeded if there was no slavery is a matter of historical debate. There is no easy answer, and the outcome would likely have been determined by a number of factors.