Asked by Courtney Johnson on May 12, 2024

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Most members of the planter aristocracy saw themselves as

A) the benevolent guardians of an inferior race.
B) capitalistic farmers pursuing their own economic self-interest.
C) self-sacrificing members of the larger community.
D) the champions of the democratic ideal.

Planter Aristocracy

A social and economic class of wealthy landowners in the antebellum South who owned large plantations and numerous slaves, exerting significant political and social influence.

Economic Self-Interest

The motivation that drives individuals to pursue their own material wealth and benefit, often considered a fundamental economic principle.

  • Understand the justifications and criticisms of slavery in the pre-Civil War Southern United States.
  • Identify the influence of slavery on the values, economy, and social structure of Southern society.
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Akash VermaMay 16, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
Members of the planter aristocracy believed they were superior to African Americans and saw themselves as benevolent guardians of their slaves, providing for their needs and protecting them from harm. This belief was a key part of the ideology of slavery and allowed them to justify the subjugation of an entire race.