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Southern states historically opposed tariffs primarily because they increased the costs of imports for agriculture. The southern economy was largely agrarian, relying on the importation of manufactured goods and supplies. Tariffs effectively raised the prices of these imports, making it more expensive for southern farmers and consumers to purchase necessary items. Consequently, this economic strain was particularly burdensome since the agricultural sector did not benefit from protecting domestic manufacturing in the same way that industrialized northern states did.

Understanding this context clarifies why other options are less aligned with the southern states' perspective. Tariffs were not viewed as economically beneficial by the South, as they disproportionately impacted their ability to access affordable goods. While tariffs could promote industrialization, this was not a priority for southern economies that focused on agriculture. Finally, tariffs did not decrease domestic production in a straightforward manner; rather, they limited the purchasing power of southerners by raising costs, which is why they strongly resisted them.