Slavery was defended for many reasons in the 1800s. Which opinion best explains why some citizens of free states might support slavery? (1 point) Group of answer choices A. Slaves were needed to build railroads and new cities in the west.

B. Escaped slaves should not be protected by the governments of free states.

C. New states should be able to choose whether slavery would be legal or not.

D. Southern agriculture was too important to the U. S. economy to lose slave labor.