The South and the Slavery Controversy Mr. Walters Chapter 16

Key Themes Sectionalism: Slavery is one of many items to divide the country in mid 19 th century. Sectionalism: Slavery is one of many items to divide the country in mid 19 th century. Slavery also produces conflict and compromise between North and South. Slavery also produces conflict and compromise between North and South. Many Southerners saw abolitionism as a small piece of a greater threat. Many Southerners saw abolitionism as a small piece of a greater threat.

King Cotton Slavery reinvigorated after cotton gin in 1793 Slavery reinvigorated after cotton gin in 1793 Cotton Kingdom of South was huge agricultural factory Cotton Kingdom of South was huge agricultural factory Northerners also profited from shipping and manufacturing Northerners also profited from shipping and manufacturing Foreign nations dependent on Southern cotton Foreign nations dependent on Southern cotton This made South arrogant, falsely confident This made South arrogant, falsely confident

The Planter “Aristocracy” South as an oligarchy—government by the few South as an oligarchy—government by the few Planter aristocracy owned most slaves, provided political and social leadership Planter aristocracy owned most slaves, provided political and social leadership Undemocratic system—poor in South denied tax-supported education Undemocratic system—poor in South denied tax-supported education Southern planters trying to protect feudal society Southern planters trying to protect feudal society

Negatives of the slave system Economy in South encouraged monopolies Economy in South encouraged monopolies Financial instability in system—lots of debt Financial instability in system—lots of debt South dangerously dependent on one crop economy, no manufacturing of own South dangerously dependent on one crop economy, no manufacturing of own South also repelled immigrants, limiting growth/reform South also repelled immigrants, limiting growth/reform

Southern Society (1850) “Slavocracy” [plantation owners] The “Plain Folk” [white yeoman farmers] 6,000,000 Black Freemen Black Slaves 3,200, ,000

Whites in the South Small minority rich slave-owners—they owned the most slaves Small minority rich slave-owners—they owned the most slaves Next was smaller slave-owners—most slave owners had only 1-2 slaves, masters worked with slaves Next was smaller slave-owners—most slave owners had only 1-2 slaves, masters worked with slaves Whites without slaves—redneck, subsistence farmers Whites without slaves—redneck, subsistence farmers Often strongest supporters of slavery!!! “I’ll have mine one day” Often strongest supporters of slavery!!! “I’ll have mine one day” Mountain whites—in Appalachians, hated planters and slaves, would work with Union during war. Mountain whites—in Appalachians, hated planters and slaves, would work with Union during war.

Southern Population

Free Blacks in South In upper South, some blacks freed after Revolution In upper South, some blacks freed after Revolution In deep South, free blacks mainly mulattoes—freed by their master/father, some purchased freedom In deep South, free blacks mainly mulattoes—freed by their master/father, some purchased freedom Treated as “third race” Treated as “third race”

Free Blacks in North Also unpopular Also unpopular Forbidden entrance to some states, kept from vote, and public schools Forbidden entrance to some states, kept from vote, and public schools Often tensions with immigrants in North Often tensions with immigrants in North

Plantation Slavery By 1860—4 million slaves By 1860—4 million slaves Most from reproduction Most from reproduction Slaves seen as investment Slaves seen as investment Slaves were often forced to breed or sold in auction Slaves were often forced to breed or sold in auction Families were separated often Families were separated often

Slave Master Brands Slavery In Artifacts Slave muzzle

Slave Auction Notice, 1823

Slaves posing in front of their cabin on a Southern plantation.

Slave Auction: Charleston, SC-1856

Slave Resistance Refusal to work hard. Isolated acts of sabotage. Escape via the Underground Railroad.

Runaway Slave Ads

Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum South: Nat Turner, 1831

Denmark Vesey South Carolina 1822 South Carolina 1822 Failed uprising results in mass hangings Failed uprising results in mass hangings Forced Southerners to change relationships with slaves. Forced Southerners to change relationships with slaves. Harsher controls put in place Harsher controls put in place Inflames the debate further Inflames the debate further

Anti-Slave Pamphlet

American Colonization Society Liberia: Established as a colony for American slaves Liberia: Established as a colony for American slaves Capitol of Monrovia (after James Monroe) Capitol of Monrovia (after James Monroe) ,000 freed slaves sent here by abolitionists 15,000 freed slaves sent here by abolitionists Blacks like this idea? Blacks like this idea?

Abolitionists Theodore Dwight Weld – wrote books describing horror stories of slavery (American Slavery as It Is 1839). Appealed to rural. Attended Lane Theological Seminary Elijah Parrish Lovejoy – had newspaper criticizing slavery, was killed because of it William Lloyd Garrison - wrote The Liberator which criticized slavery. -Created American Anti-Slavery Society (1833) with Wendell Phillips. - Very stubborn and not willing to compromise. -Took morally righteous stands and interested in “values” opposed to more pragmatic compromises

Abolitionists David Walker David Walker Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World (1829) Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World (1829) Advocated violent overthrow of racist system Advocated violent overthrow of racist system Sojourner Truth Sojourner Truth Argued for black emancipation and women’s rights Argued for black emancipation and women’s rights Martin Delaney Martin Delaney Supported African recolonization Supported African recolonization Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass Escaped slave Escaped slave Successful public speaker, very popular in the elite abolitionist societies Successful public speaker, very popular in the elite abolitionist societies Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) tells of his journey from slavery to freedom and education Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845) tells of his journey from slavery to freedom and education Supported political solutions to end slavery Supported political solutions to end slavery