- The Southern economy was heavily dependent on agriculture, and the plantation system, which was incredibly labor-intensive, required a large workforce.
- In contrast, the Northern states were more industrialized and diversified, and they did not overly depend on agriculture.
2. Cultural and social factors:
- The South had a more patriarchal society, and slavery reinforced the existing social hierarchies and the power dynamics between white men and women, white people and black people.
- In the Northern states, there were more opportunities for social mobility and a greater emphasis on individual liberty and equality.
3. Political factors:
- The Southern states had more political power in the early days of the United States, and this power was used to protect slavery as an institution.
- For instance, the three-fifths compromise in the US Constitution counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes, which gave the Southern states more power in Congress and the Electoral College.
4. Geographical factors:
- The Southern states' climate and geography were suitable for large-scale agriculture, which supported the plantation system and the demand for enslaved labor.
5. Institutional inertia:
- The institution of slavery became deeply ingrained in the social, economic, and political systems of the Southern states over time, making it challenging to eradicate.