Chapter 11 Section 3 The Plantation South

The Cotton Kingdom The North was urban and industrialized; the South was rural Industrial Revolution raises demand for cotton Before cotton gin, seeds had to be picked by hand (slow process)  gin made cotton growing more profitable  needed more workers (slaves) Cotton greatest source of wealth for both North and South

The Cotton Kingdom Alabama and Missouri depended on cotton  had large population of enslaved people “Cotton Kingdom”: society run by plantation owners, who were very wealthy However, more than half of farmers did not have slaves  grew corn, raised pigs and hogs The South accepted slavery  felt that weakening control of African Americans would result in violent uprisings

The Cotton Kingdom 1830’s The Northern whites demanded end of slavery, which made Southern whites angry South said slaves were better off because they had guaranteed employment North said their workers were free to quit if conditions were too harsh, which slaves could not do Slaves often abused by their owners, employers

African Americans in the South Not all African Americans were enslaved  6% were free (bought freedom from owners) Laws against African Americans Excluded from most jobs Children could not attend public schools Could not vote Could not serve on jury Could not testify against white defendants Discouraged to travel

African Americans in the South It was not safe on the streets  slave owners would try to catch free slaves and sell them back into slavery For enslaved African Americans  NO RIGHTS They were skilled workers, housekeepers, butlers, nannies Worked almost to death, and whipped for punishment  families broken apart when sold

African Americans in the South 1808: Illegal to import slaves into the United States  people could not communicate with Africa  customs and traditions were still kept up African Americans turned to Bible and spirituals 1831: Nat Turner leads slave revolt  kills approx. 60 white people  many African Americans were executed

VOCABULARY COTTON GIN SLAVE CODES SPIRITUAL A spiked cylinder to remove seeds from cotton fibers SLAVE CODES Laws that controlled every aspect of their lives SPIRITUAL Religious folk songs that blended biblical themes with the realities of slavery