The pro-slavery argument generally asserted that slavery was a “positive good”. John C. Calhoun further stated, “Never before has the black race of Central Africa…attained a condition so civilized and so improved, not only physically, but morally and intellectually.”
For the most part, white southerners defended the “peculiar institution” whether or not they had slaves, whether they were rich or poor, and whether they lived on large plantations or small farms. How did they justify their stance, and why was this the case? Also, were their methods effective?
