Northerners had constantly been misled by the Southerners in an attempt to conceal the truth and avoid criticism, leaving the slaves helpless as the corruption spread throughout the South. Southern economy thrived in a time of social hierarchy and feudalist'rc plantations whose success unfortunately depended on slave labor and complete control. In a culture where honor and reputation were so valued, there was little reason for slave owners and business men to question their ethics. Such a lack of priority created dehumanizing masters whose sole focus was their status. The fight for social