The Papacy of Slavery: An Unyielding Desire Even If the South Won

The concept that slavery would naturally and peacefully fade away if the South had won the American Civil War is a misguided and disingenuous argument. This article delves into the deeply rooted and unyielding nature of the Southern dependency on slavery, examining why this dependency would persist, and the lasting impacts on societal dynamics.

Slavery as an Intractable Addiction

Slavery was not merely an economic institution but a deeply ingrained and emotionally addictive system for many Southerners, much like an addiction to heroin. The visceral desire to maintain this system is evident through the persistence of Southern voters, including what would become future Trump supporters, who were unwilling to give up the benefits provided by slave labor. Like a heroin addict, those who profited from slavery were not just financial beneficiaries but were emotionally and socially invested in this system.

91 percent of heroin addicts relapse, and likewise, even if the institution of slavery were to somehow disappear, the Southern populace would still not relinquish the benefits it provided. Whether it was labor in the form of cleaning, cooking, or sexual exploitation, the impetus to maintain such a system was profound and unyielding.

The Hypocrisy of Equal Rights

The argument that with the dissolution of slavery, Blacks would immediately gain full and equal rights with Whites is fatally flawed. For many Southern whites, the idea of Blacks having equal rights was anathema. The social and economic systems built around slavery were not sustainable on the principles of equality, leading many to a belief that discrimination and subjugation were necessary for racial and social stability.

Further, the idea that white Southern males would not be held accountable for sexual violence against Black women is a grotesque reflection of their deeply held beliefs. The practice of gang rape by college boys in the South, often involving Black women, was a common and accepted form of "recreation," and the notion that this would simply cease with the end of slavery is absurd. Without a fair judicial system to address these crimes, the behavior would persist in a form that was illegal or exploited their lack of accountability.

The Resurgence of Old Habits

Even in the modern era, remnants of the Southern culture that upheld slavery persist. In 2023, calling Black people "colored people" is a throwback to a time where racial distinctions were rigid and guiding behavior. This rhetoric and terminology are remnants of a mindset that has not completely disintegrated, indicating a long-standing and enduring impact of the ideology that supported slavery.

Slavery's Economic Foundation

The argument that the demise of slavery was inevitable due to economic downturn in agricultural reliance is a superficially appealing but flawed rationale. Brazil, for instance, did end slavery peacefully, but it was due to a combination of factors including the economic unviability of maintaining a labor-intensive agricultural system given technological advancements and the influx of cheaper labor. The end of slavery in the United States was primarily a political and social movement propelled by the will to assert human freedom and equality.

Presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, prioritized the preservation of the Union over the immediate abolition of slavery, using the war to undermine the institution. The debates, inaugural, and final speeches of Lincoln emphasized the preservation of the Union, not the immediate end of slavery. The Civil War was a conflict that reshaped the nation, not an economic decision about labor systems.

Conclusion

The idea that slavery would naturally and peacefully disappear if the South had won the Civil War is a cynical and historically inaccurate assertion. Slavery was a deeply entrenched and emotionally charged institution that would have persisted for as long as possible. The persistent efforts to hand down the benefits of slave labor and the deep-seated racism that underpinned the Southern way of life ensured that even in the face of potential economic changes, the desire to maintain such a system would endure.