Imagine you lived as a Southerner in mid-1800s America. Would you be opposed to slavery or would you support it?

Keep in mind that it is the cultural norm of the time. Speaking out against it would probably have people resent you as much as people resent vegans these days.

Do you put your image on the line by defending the the voiceless, or do you just go along with the status quo because everyone else is fine with it?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

SteelHands · 61-69, M

Lets get something sensible said here since ignorance seems to rule this subject.

1. The majority of whites living in the south before slaves were being brought in in large numbers were likely working for those same plantation owners and lost at least began seeing their wages go through the floor and even lost their jobs and had to pull up stakes and find work somewhere else.

2. The few whites that had low enough expenses to stay were likely single males with a stomach for abusing the living. Probably sadistic scum that no southern woman wanted to marry.

3. I hadn't been the cultural "norm" for the non wealthy in the European lands where they came to the new world seeking freedom from religious oppression so I really doubt that the majority of the masses were the ones who decided that since there was no established code forbidding such then why not?

4. Only the super rich could afford to sail ships back and forth across the Atlantic.

5. The common class majority wage earners are unsupportive of cheap labor through illegal hiring now. Doesn't it make infinite sense they would be even more opposed to free labor through kidnapping humans from another country?

This isn't even a well considered reply. I think it makes the point tho.

SW-User

@Noahkahol: Good points, although I specified a particular region and time to fully embrace the focus on black slavery.

I think the common class would also benefit from the cheap/free labor, considering that textiles is a huge industry related to cotton farming. You could also consider that plantation owners would sell their goods elsewhere and bring money into their region. That could allow them to buy more farming equipment or clothes or any conceivable number of goods. The slaves didn't necessarily need to compete with them for jobs.