Why was slavery more difficult to address in the Southern states in the early years of the republic, even before the invention of the cotton gin? a. The proportion of the population that was enslaved was much higher in Southern states. b. People who spoke out against slavery were driven out of the region through social pressure. c. State laws had slave owners make contracts so it would appear that workers were not captive. d. Most of the early settlers to the region came from cultures where slavery was acceptable.