1. Economic dependence: The Southern states had a significant financial investment in the institution of slavery. The plantation system, heavily reliant on slave labor, was deeply entrenched in their economies. Cash crops like cotton, rice, and tobacco formed the foundation of their agricultural success. Without the institution of slavery to provide a cheap and abundant labor force, the plantation owners feared that their economic pillars would crumble.
2. Social structure and cultural beliefs: The Southern society was built upon a hierarchical structure that placed white landowners at the top, followed by poor white farmers, and then enslaved African Americans at the bottom. Slavery was supported by a system of laws, religious beliefs, and social customs that reinforced the notion of white supremacy and black inferiority. Many southerners believed that slavery was necessary to maintain social order and white dominance in society.
3. Political power: The Southern states had a strong political influence at the federal level, disproportionate to their population size. This was due to the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person when determining representation in Congress and the Electoral College. Southern statesmen wielded considerable power to protect the institution of slavery by shaping legislation and influencing government decisions in their favor.
4. Resistance to change: The institution of slavery had deep roots in Southern society, and many were reluctant to embrace any change that might challenge the existing order. The fear of social and economic upheaval, coupled with the ingrained beliefs in the inherent benefits of slavery, made many Southerners resistant to any efforts aimed at abolishing it.
5. Ideology of states' rights: The Southern states asserted the principle of states' rights as a means to defend the institution of slavery. They believed that the federal government had limited power to interfere in the internal affairs of states, including slavery. This states' rights argument became a rallying point for Southern politicians and played a significant role in their opposition to abolitionist movements and federal policies aimed at ending slavery.
It's important to note that not all Southerners supported slavery, and there were diverse opinions on the issue within the region. However, the combination of these factors cemented the institution's hold on Southern society and contributed to the persistence of slavery until the Civil War ultimately ended it in 1865.