Final answer:
The upper class in Southern American colonies were able to obtain and keep their high social position due to their economic power, political power, and cultural influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The upper class in Southern American colonies were able to obtain and keep their high social position for several reasons:
- Economic power: The wealthy southern planters, who were part of the upper class, owned large plantations and amassed great wealth through the cultivation of cash crops like cotton and rice. This economic power allowed them to maintain their social position.
- Political power: The elite class in the Southern colonies held most of the political power, serving in government positions and shaping policies that favored their interests. They used their political influence to maintain their social status.
- Cultural influence: The upper class in Southern American colonies created their own standards of gentility and honor, which defined the ideals of southern White manhood and womanhood. Their culture shaped the society and reinforced their high social position.
Overall, the combination of economic power, political power, and cultural influence helped the upper class in Southern American colonies obtain and keep their high social position.