Plantation System: The economy of the South was largely dependent on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cash crops such as cotton, tobacco, and sugar. Slavery provided the labor force necessary to cultivate these crops on a large scale.
Profitability: The cotton industry became highly lucrative due to the invention of the cotton gin in the late 1700s. To keep up with the increasing demand for cotton, landowners expanded their plantations and acquired more slaves to maximize their profits.
Agricultural Development: The South possessed vast amounts of fertile land suitable for agriculture. However, the climate and demanding nature of crop cultivation made the plantation system labor-intensive. Enslaved people provided a cheap and readily available labor force for various agricultural tasks.
Political Influence: Southern states benefited politically from the "Three-Fifths Compromise." Three-fifths of the enslaved population were counted towards a state's population for the purpose of representation in Congress and the Electoral College. This gave southern states increased political power at the federal level.
Social System: Slavery had become deeply ingrained in Southern culture and society. Many individuals, especially large landowners (known as "planters"), were financially dependent on the enslavement of others and felt entitled to the labor and submission of enslaved people based on racial prejudices and social norms.