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Why were the upper class in Southern American colonies able to obtain and keep their high social position?

User Divya
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Answer:

The upper class in Southern American colonies was able to obtain and keep their high social position due to a combination of factors. One important factor was their ownership of large plantations, which allowed them to amass great wealth and exert significant economic influence. Additionally, the system of indentured servitude and later, slavery, provided a steady source of labor that enabled the plantation owners to maintain their dominance. The upper class also had significant political power, with many serving in colonial legislatures or holding other positions of authority. Finally, their education and social connections gave them a level of cultural capital that helped to reinforce their position at the top of society. Overall, the combination of economic, political, and social advantages allowed the upper class in Southern American colonies to maintain their position of power for generations.

User Harutyun Abgaryan
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

User KLaz
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