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American Slaveholders Lost Their Wealth but Kept Their Political Power

Luna Bellani, Anselm Hager and Stephan Maurer


In new research, Luna Bellani, Anselm Hager, and Stephan Maurer examine how the abolition of slavery after the American Civil War affected the political influence of former slaveholders. Despite the blow to their economic standing, former slaveholders maintained their electoral success, and once in office, their influence actually grew.


6 August 2026


Promarket


https://www.promarket.org/2026/08/06/american-slaveholders-lost-their-wealth-but-kept-their-political-power/

This Blog is published under the centre's Labour programme.

This publication comes under the following theme: Labour market inequalities: Causes and cures