How did slavery influence all aspects of Southern society to include economics, values, customs, laws, class structure,

and the regions relationship to the nation?

Slavery creeped into and penetrated every aspect of Southern life because of its long presence and the conditions in the South that encouraged it. At no point in the Souths history did slavery not have a heavy influence on the states. Additionally, the stratified social structure tied into politics, which then kept slavery alive. However, even a popular vote would not have removed slavery, as it began to be seen as an aspiration to be a slaver-holder. This caused a stressed relation with the South and other parts of the country that were opposed to slavery. Geography dictated that the South would be an agrarian empire, with rich soil, warm climate and plentiful rain. This in turn helped sow the seeds for slavery, as slavery was an efficient and profitable system for tilling ever enlarging quantities of land (which the new nation was not short of). The first crops to be farm were of tobacco, rice and indigo, which were all highly profitable with trade to England and her colonies. However, as these dried up, slavery threatened to do the same, as it was no longer as profitable. Something of an antichrist came along, however and saved slavery; cotton. Areas that were unsuitable for cotton soon began to have large surpluses of slaves (Virginia, North Carolina) while adapted states suddenly had a void that needed to be filled. Slavery was more than economic though, so long engrained in Southerners, it became a part of life. The rigid class structure of the South, seemingly more similar to a feudal system than democracy was a positive feedback cycle, with slavery begetting aristocracy, begetting slavery. As the upper class amassed slaves, they became even richer, setting a sharp divide between the common southern man and plantation owners. Never satisfied, plantation owners always looked

to expand their labor force. Because the South was dominated by a slave-holding oligarchy, laws created were also favorable toward the keeping of slaves, as it was the system that gained the politicians influence to begin with. However, more than just the rich supported slavery. The average denizen of the South was also profoundly affected by slavery. Most were born and raised with slavery, and did not question its morality (or see any reason to) or principles and generally viewed blacks as inferior, with little deviance. To many of these people, slavery was a dream, a fanciful wish that they would at some time in their future be rich enough to own slaves. This dream of a prosperous future accounted for much of the common mans vote. Also, slavery was an integrated part of their culture. Auctions were as much of a bazaar as a meeting place and many were gladdened by the idea that they could not possibly become the lowest part of society, simply because they did not have black skin. This staunch love and dependence of slavery caused rifts between the South and other regions, particularly the North, to develop. The northern states had little use for slavery, and had come to the realization of its evil much sooner than the South. Eventually deadlocked politically through nefarious compromises (prominently the Missouri Compromise), Northerners began smuggling slaves off of plantations via the Underground Railroad, which infuriated Southerners, who felt their property was being stolen. The rift over slavery would provoke tensions to such a degree that it was a major cause of the Civil War. Slavery was an integral part to the Souths economy, society and culture until the Civil War. However, irreconcilable differences in opinions over slavery would be a major impetus for the secession of the South, and eventually the fight to retain the Union.