What would be your view on slavery if you were a mountain southerner?

Answer 1

In the 19th century?

I would view slavery as a source of special privilege for wealthy white slaveholders down in the flatlands. While I might not have opposed slavery, I would have opposed the power of slaveholders. When the Civil War came, I might have joined the Confederacy but more likely I would have joined the Union Army.

Answer 2

I would be in favor of it...not because it would have helped me personally but it would have insured there was one group of people below on the social hierarchy. If slaves are freed and they start getting better educated than we mountain white trash was, then they would bypass us on the socially mobile ladder, leaving us in southern society's cellar. That was why the KKK was so common among the poorly educated crackers or clayeaters of the South in 1866.

Answer 3

Most were for it, or at best neutral, because most were deeply prejudiced. Intolerance is still endemic to the area, my own family among the offenders. Maybe in another century or so they will acculturate, but don't hold your breath.