Why did the southern states saw abolitionism as a threat to their way of life?

The southern states saw abolitionism as a threat to their way of life because their economy heavily relied on slave labor in industries such as agriculture. Abolitionism challenged the institution of slavery, which was deeply woven into the social, political, and economic fabric of the southern states. This threat to their labor system and the fear of losing control over their property led the southern states to view abolitionism as a direct challenge to their way of life.