J.D.B. De Bow was an economist, editor, and proponent of Southern industrialization in the mid-19th century. In his essay "The Non-slaveholders of the South," published in 1860, De Bow sought to defend the institution of slavery and address criticisms of the system. De Bow argued that non-slaveholding white Southerners were not disadvantaged by the existence of slavery. Instead, he claimed that slavery provided economic opportunities for non-slaveholding whites, particularly in the agricultural sector. He argued that slavery created a demand for goods and services that benefited all members of Southern society. De Bow also claimed that the North was dependent on the South's agricultural exports, and therefore, Southern slaveholders were essential …show more content…
At that time, tensions between the North and South were high over issues such as states' rights and the expansion of slavery into new territories. In his essay, De Bow sought to defend the institution of slavery and counter criticisms of the system. This was a common argument among pro-slavery advocates in the South at the time, as they saw the institution as essential to their way of life and economic prosperity. Olsen's book, "The American Civil War: A Hands on History," provides additional context for understanding De Bow's essay. The book explores the economic, social, and political factors that contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War, including the sectional tensions between the North and South, the rise of abolitionism, and the impact of slavery on American society. By understanding this historical context, we can better understand the motivations and perspective of De Bow and other pro-slavery advocates. We can see how they saw themselves as defending the interests of the South against perceived threats from the North, and how they used arguments about the economic benefits of slavery to justify the institution. At the same time, understanding the broader context of the Civil War helps us recognize the limitations of De Bow's perspective. It also helps us recognize the ways in which people, like De Bow, were shaped by the events, attitudes, and climate of their