Some historians are fond of saying the South is better off for having lost the war. Louisiana was the 2nd richest state in the Union before the war and became the second poorest state in the Union after the war. I don’t see the logic. 

If the truth be known…

New Orleans had the largest population of free blacks in the country, often educated, middle class and property owners…

Oh and the largest slave market in the country...was in Washington DC.