Antebellum Society USHC 2.4: Compare the social and cultural characteristics of the North, the South, and the West during the antebellum period, including the lives of African Americans and social reform movements such as abolition and women’s rights.

Sectionalism Continues Antebellum – literally means “before the war.” Sectionalism grows increasingly more heated North Diversified economy – multiple industries need immigrants to supply labor force South “King Cotton” ties the economic interests of the South completely to slavery West More agricultural, like South, but tended to side with North to ensure internal improvements and access to land Need for settlers – many immigrants of all types

Immigration in Mid 1800’s North West South Germans Irish Italians Chinese South Little immigration

Northern Culture Diversity More urban than other regions Attraction of immigrants to jobs in cities Population grows rapidly – “melting pot” More urban than other regions Towns and Cities Commercial centers – NY, Boston, Philadelphia Public education widespread Education of immigrants HIGH TARIFFS NATIONAL BANK African Americans Few slaves in North Segregated and Discriminated against in North

Southern Culture South LOW TARIFFS EXPANSION OF SLAVERY TO WEST Continues to be dominated in government and society by the elite planters Majority of Southerners do NOT own slaves Much too expensive for most No big cities Proximity to rivers Large, spread out land holdings Little emphasis on education Few immigrants – no industries Slave culture – lasting effect on Southern culture LOW TARIFFS EXPANSION OF SLAVERY TO WEST

Western Culture Settlers bring culture with them Northwest mirrored the North Southwest mirrored the South Over time, western culture develops Rugged individualism – belief that each person could be self-sufficient and survive based on hard work CHEAP LAND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS UNCONTROLLED BANKING

African Americans in US North continued to have slaves into the 1830’s Could marry, but no voting or other rights Worst jobs, paid less South Most are slaves – conditions varied some are “free blacks” – worked in cities Job opportunities actually better in South West Many head west to work as laborers cowboys

Great Awakening Religious revival throughout country in 1830’s Strongest support in North and Midwest “Burned Over District” in western New York Nicknamed due to the ‘fire and brimstone’ sermons Sparks creation of several new denominations Reform movements emerge from religious zeal Abolitionism Temperance Women’s Rights

Abolitionism Abolitionism – movement to permanently abolish slavery Leaders both black and white Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman William Lloyd Garrison and the Grimke Sisters Books, magazines, newspaper used to spread ideas Underground Railroad Network of paths, buildings to help slaves escape North Some lead rebellions – Nat Turner, John Brown South reacts Agitates Southern states to tighten control of slaves Apologists argue slavery a “positive good” Movement divides over women speaking and whether force should be used

Women’s Rights Emerged out of the abolitionist movement Denied the right to participate in abolitionist conventions Seneca Falls Convention, 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton Lucretia Mott Complaints – limited access to education, right to own and control property, power to divorce Unsuccessful in obtaining any rights in antebellum period

North South West Social Cultural