Colonists were happy with the relationships they maintained with Britain as the colonies were free to mostly legislate themselves. Victory and pride after the French and Indian War helped fuel this positive attitude as well. It wasn't until the Stamp Act was passed that colonists began to see Britain negatively and even then opinion was still split.
Answer:
There was great wealth in the South, but it was primarily tied up in the slave economy. In 1860, the economic value of slaves in the United States exceeded the invested value of all of the nation's railroads, factories, and banks combined. On the eve of the Civil War, cotton prices were at an all-time high.
Yes, this did violate the freedom of speech and press.
