History of the United States I / Unit 9 USH1 1240 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Elite and Slavery
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The idea
The northern economic elite exercised considerable power in local and state elections, and their ties to the cotton trade made them strong supporters of slavery.
In practice
Northern merchants whose fortunes depended on southern cotton reaching British mills.
Where people slip
The most powerful men in the free states had a direct financial interest in slavery. Unit 12 shows what they were buying.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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