What was the slave class system in the antebellum south?

The slave class system in the antebellum South was a hierarchical social structure primarily defined by race and economic status. At the top were wealthy plantation owners who controlled vast tracts of land and numerous enslaved people. Below them were smaller farmers who might own one or two slaves, while at the bottom were the enslaved individuals themselves, who had no rights and were considered property. This system was deeply entrenched in the economy and culture of the South, perpetuating racial inequality and social stratification.