All imports to them were in payment for their exports.
Of course they could have avoided tariffs by buying inferior American goods at inflated (because of the tariffs) prices. But either way, from their point of view, their money was going north. But of course, we are speaking about the southern leadership class—the ones who owned the vast majority of slaves. Southern yeomanry wasn’t buying much from England and wasn’t sending much cotton there either. As was said by both sides during “the late unpleasantness” it was rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight”.
Of course they could have avoided tariffs by buying inferior American goods at inflated (because of the tariffs) prices. But either way, from their point of view, their money was going north. But of course, we are speaking about the southern leadership class—the ones who owned the vast majority of slaves. Southern yeomanry wasn’t buying much from England and wasn’t sending much cotton there either. As was said by both sides during “the late unpleasantness” it was rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight”. I had read something the other day alleging that the Southern peasant class would simply vote whatever way the rich Aristocracy directed them to vote. I suspect something like this goes on in every human culture.
Yes, I think that war was really a battle between the elites, but the poor pawns had to fight and die in it. Then the winning side said it was all about slavery, and that's what we've all been subsequently taught.