What is free labor ideology?

A set of beliefs and ideas that presented slavery as a threat to a white male economic independence. It was central to the Republican party's attack on slavery. Asserted that the ability of working men to achieve econom,ic independence was the basis of northern superiority. Northern working class men were concerned about competing with other workers and maintaining economic independence. The land in the west meant safety and a place they could continue to make a living and not have to worry about competition. If slavery were to move west, it would destroy that option because there would be less industrialization and they wouldn't be able to compete with slave labor.