Starting before the war, read the proto-socialist George Fitzhugh’s book, “Cannibals All!, or Slaves Without Masters” (1857), not just a passionate defense of slavery, but the idea that 9 out of 10 people would be *happier* as slaves (though he assumed his readers were of the 1 in 10 elites.)
And if you really want an education of the arguments leading up to the war, the Lincoln-Douglas debates (which have been very scrutinized, as the newspaper published accounts of the time were *creatively edited*) (filled with lies and partisan slant.)
“...the idea that 9 out of 10 people would be *happier* as slaves...”
We see that today in most inner-city environments.
It’s the government welfare plantation, but a plantation all the same.
Guelzo has a book specifically on the Lincoln -Douglas debates which were occurring exactly one hundred sixty years ago this month.