The South’s complex society consisted of three main groups. The Planter Elites, the Smallholding Planters and Yeomen, and the Poor Freeman.
The Planter Elites: This group was also considered the slave holding elite which made up 5% of the white southern population. Comprised of planters and lawyers, it dominated the southern economy. The lawyers gained wealth and many times rose to be elected to public office (355).
The Smallholding Planters and Yeomen: This group was much less visible and only owned one to five slaves compared to the Planter Elites 50% of the slave population. Some were fortunate enough to have prosperous families and hoped to benefit once they could take over their families’ holdings and slaves. Some were not as fortunate
The Planter Elites: This group was also considered the slave holding elite which made up 5% of the white southern population. Comprised of planters and lawyers, it dominated the southern economy. The lawyers gained wealth and many times rose to be elected to public office (355).
The Smallholding Planters and Yeomen: This group was much less visible and only owned one to five slaves compared to the Planter Elites 50% of the slave population. Some were fortunate enough to have prosperous families and hoped to benefit once they could take over their families’ holdings and slaves. Some were not as fortunate