Which political group wanted to continue the structure of the south's economy and use free labor?

The political group that sought to preserve the structure of the South's economy and maintain the use of free labor, primarily through systems like sharecropping and tenant farming was the Democratic Party in the post-Civil War era, particularly in the Southern states.

After the Civil War and during the Reconstruction period, the Democratic Party in the South aimed to uphold the agrarian economy that heavily relied on agriculture, especially cotton production. This party, often representing the interests of the planter class and conservative elements in the region was resistant to major changes that might disrupt the existing socioeconomic system.

They opposed significant reforms that could empower formerly enslaved individuals or alter the traditional power structures. Instead, they advocated for the continuation of the agricultural economy and social hierarchy that allowed them to maintain their positions of power and influence.