How did most White Southerners view the practice of slavery?

Most White Southerners who defended slavery described it as a “positive good,” arguing that it benefited enslaved people and society. This belief helped them justify keeping slavery, even though slavery was a system of violent exploitation. The other choices suggest opposition to slavery or claim it was affordable for everyone, which does not reflect the prevailing pro-slavery view.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.