Slavery was booming in
Alabama and spreading into Louisiana, Mississippi, and even
Texas. At the same time, the North, after experiencing a full
decade without slavery, was still steeped in discrimination and
prejudice. After several years of freedom, Northern blacks still
were not gaining economic advancement, political rights, or
social acceptance. As the numbers of European immigrants had
increased, job discrimination grew. The Northern states were, at
the same time, abolishing the political rights of Afro-Americans. The
hopes which had accompanied the end of slavery in those
states were fading into despair. The relentless struggle for
advancement apparently had failed, and increasing numbers became
convinced that more radical action was necessary.
At the same time White supremacy advocates were uneasy because
their views had not been universally accepted, and they were
adopting a stronger defense. The Southern justification of
slavery was based on four main arguments. First, it was claimed
that slavery was indispensable to its economy and that every
society, whether slave or free, needed those who must do its
menial labor.
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