Final answer:
White small farmers in the South differed in wealth and aspirations from both free African Americans and plantation owners.
Step-by-step explanation:
White small farmers in the South differed from both free African Americans and plantation owners in several ways. Firstly, white small farmers were typically poor and landless, making up the majority of white people in the region. They aspired to own land and enslave people, often serving as overseers or drivers on plantations. In contrast, free African Americans were often wealthier and better educated than white small farmers, and had more opportunities available to them. They could own land, businesses, and even slaves in some cases. Finally, plantation owners were part of the elite upper class, with significant wealth and power derived from owning large amounts of land and enslaved people. They held a privileged place in society and had a strong influence on the economy and politics of the South.