WHat were the contradictions and inconsistencies in confederate arguments and behaviors as a sought to perserve and rationalize slavery/

Most of arguments for the preservation of slavery were contained in the Magnolia Myth. The Magnolia Myth was a set of arguments that Southerners used to defend slavery and counter the Declaration of Independence which stated all men were equal.

Some of their arguments included:

Slaves liked being slaves.

Slaves were unable to better themselves.

Slaves needed the white man to take care of them.

Whites treat their slaves well.

All of these are preposterous. Anybody with half a brain and a modicum of human decency can easily debunk these.