How did white Southerners define freedom? How did they structure their freedom based upon slavery?
Do you think non-
slaveholding whites supported slavery, as well? How did they think about freedom? The white southerners defined freedom in the form of growth, wealth and owning slaves. They structured their freedom based upon slavery because of the slavery their economy was stable and the owners were earning high profits. They were one of the major producers of cotton. I think non- slaveholding whites supported slavery because they thought its their job to keep white supremacy and slaves are inferior, its their job to do the work for the planters. The non-slaveholding used to work on their land, they didnt have any slaves because they were very poor.
Today, we turn from the economy and society of the North, to look at the very different economy and society of the South. Pay attention to how white Southerners defined freedom. How did they think their economy should support that freedom? What kind of society did they create based upon slavery? Next week, we look at the ideas and experiences of slaves themselves, but this week, try to get a sense of how and why most white Southerners supported slavery (even though only 1/4 owned slave In what ways was the Southern economy based upon slavery? Explain how slaveowners made money and organized society, but also pay attention to why non- slaveholding whites (who were 3/4 of the white Southern population) would support slavery. In what ways did they benefit and profit from slavery? Keep in mind that "benefit" and "profit" might mean in a psychological sense, rather than always a monetary one. s).