Which minority wielded the greatest political power in its region in the period before the civil war? ship owners in new england laborers in the industrial cities planters in the south farmers in the northeast

Laborers did not have much power since this was also before the age of Unionization. So that leaves them out.

Farmers throughout history never really had any political power. Since they were viewed as a more localized entity.

Shipowners for obvious reasons held a certain amount of power. They had a huge impact on importing, and exporting goods, and materials.

A ssuming when you say planters you mean the plantation owners in the South. (Who were the backbone of Southern revenue.)

Out of the last two I would tend to believe the Shipowners held more extensive power than the planters.