Antebellum South Carolina 8-4.1

I. Slavery in SC Agriculture was how SC had always made most of its money. Large plantations were built using headright system and slave labor. By 1860, SC had the highest percentage of slave holders. Most owned NO slaves. Most slave owners averaged 1 or 2 and worked along side.

II. Cotton becomes king In 1793, Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin. It cleans the seeds out of the cotton. Cotton now becomes a huge cash crop for the entire South. Slave population increases to meet the demand.

II. Cotton becomes king

II. Cotton becomes king The Upcountry, which used to be anti-slavery, now begins to use slaves to grow cotton. The Lowcountry, which always used slaves, now feels comfortable giving equal power to the Upcountry.

II. Cotton becomes king In 1810, they amended the SC Constitution to say “every free white man of 21” could vote where he lived. SC was 1st to give the vote to all white males over 21

III. Making Money The international slave trade was outlawed in 1808 by the US Constitution. Slave populations grew though to meet the demand for cotton. It was sent to mills in the North and England. Plantation AND factory owners got rich from slave labor.

III. Making Money Growing cotton depletes the soil of many nutrients. Cotton made so much money they didn’t try other crops, they just moved to new land. This lead to wanting slavery to expand into the west.

IV. Plantation Life Plantations tried to be self-sustaining. Slaves did the work in and out of the house. Field slaves worked in the fields. They cleared land, planted, grew, and harvested crops. Worked 6 days a week from dawn to dusk. Men, women, and children were field slaves. Had to follow an overseer.

IV. Plantation Life House slaves worked in the house. They cleaned, washed, prepared food, and cared for children and family. Some slaves could do work that their owners would rent them out and make money.

IV. Plantation Life Slaves were an expensive investment. Many were treated humanely physically, but still kept from their freedom. Slaves were given the minimum of food, clothing, and shelter required to keep working. Slave families were often split up and sold b/c slave marriages weren’t legal.

IV. Plantation Life Slaves were forbidden to learn to read or write. The master ran the plantation and the overseer. The mistress ran the house and often cared for sick slaves Slave life was seen as a positive good by whites. “Slaves are so dumb, without white people they could never survive.”

V. Slave life Slaves lived in small cabins near the Big House Dirt floors and often more than one family in each one. A pass was required to travel off of the plantation. Patrols roamed looking for runaways Runaways were harshly punished

V. Slave life

V. Slave life Not as many slave revolts as you’d think. Most protest were work slow downs, slyly breaking equipment, or faking illness. All of these lower production which lowers profits.

V. Slave life Slaves converted to Christianity and went to white churches. Were taught they should be happy with their life. In secret, they learned about freedom and used church as a way to discuss it.