What argument did some southeners us to defend slavery?

Answer 1

That the North was using and abusing underage children in factories to their advantage. These children were not treated well and worked long hours for next to nothing pay.

There were multiple reasons why the South could justify slavery.

For the most part, white people during this time still believed in the natural superiority of their race. Blacks were seen as inferior, and made so by Nature or by God's judgment. Since that's the way it was, they believed that was the way God intended it. There were also many pseudo-sciences that still existed, arguing for natural ethnological hierarchies in the human species. Because blacks were deemed inferior, it was seen as only right that they served under the whites.

There were also Biblical justifications for slavery. Many passages in the Old Testament detailed to the Hebrews how they were to treat or obtain their slaves. But the most often used verse came from the New Testament, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear." Ephesians 6:5 To the South, the inclusion of slavery in The Bible was proof that it was a moral right for them to own slaves. Yet never does the Bible condone mistreatment of slaves or slavery on the basis of race alone. Slavery in ancient times was customary, even traditional. Yet the South looked the other way on these points.

What is important to remember is that even though the North abolished slavery, aside from the Abolitionists almost none of the general public believed in racial equality. Though slavery was seen as immoral, blacks were not considered equal by most of those in the North.

The last reason why the South justified slavery was because they had too. Slavery was the foundation of their entire society. Not only was the social hierarchy dependent on the domination of the African slaves, but the economics of the land depended on mass human labor. If they lost their source of labor they lost everything. The dependence on slavery forced the Southerners to find ways to justify the institution of slavery, something the North did not have to worry about.

Quoting of passages from the Bible, Claims of racial superiority, and Need to protect democratic government.

Answer 2

Though slavery was a devastating series of events during the early rise of our nation, it was very important economically. It provided cheap labor that boosted the levels of cash crops. Though dehumanizing, it was more effective than the factories that existed in the North at the time.