Antebellum South Carolina Chapter 11 and 12

A society based on Agriculture Because of the earlier headright method and the availability of slave labor large plantations became the basis for economic prosperity in early South Carolina. 1860 – SC had highest percentage of slaveholders in US. Even though cotton was the basis of SC’s prosperity – There were very few factories in the South. Nearly all cotton produced in South Carolina was exported to Northern States or to England.

The Plantation Class System The plantation system dominated all parts of South Carolina’s social and political life. The plantation system divided whites into three distinct groups: Planter Class – the wealthiest plantation owners – owned several slaves. Middle Class – merchants, artisans, politicians, doctors, lawyers, small farm owners – owned few slaves. Poor class – tenant farmers, vendors, inn keepers, tavern owners – owned no slaves or land. *African Americans whether free or slaves were below all three classes.

Slave owners in SC Most farmers in South Carolina did not own slaves. The majority of slave owners in SC had only one or two slaves and often worked in the fields with their slaves. Only the wealthiest of plantation owners owned 50 or more slaves. Few farmers owned plantations, most farmers lived on family or subsistence farms. A very few freed African Americans owned slaves. However, all aspects of life in South Carolina were based on the institution slavery!

The Cotton Gin Eli Whitney’s invention of the cotton gin opened up the expansion of the cotton crop in SC. The expansion of cotton as the new staple crop increased the need for slave labor. No one is innocent - The demand for more cotton in Northern and English textile mills kept cotton prices up and indirectly led to the growth of slavery. (By 1850, cotton represented more than two-thirds of all exports from the US) Expansion of Slavery - Growing cotton actually wore out the soil, so planters (plantation owners) moved west in search of fresh land taking their slaves with them.

Plantation Life Planters Enjoyed great wealth, social position and political influence based on number of slaves Plantation life was hard work for planters and their family. Master – managed the plantation business and was responsible for its’ success. Mistress – responsible for the upkeep of the house and cared for the sick. Overseers – sometimes planters hired men to run the work of the slaves. Plantation owners lived in constant fear of slave uprisings and therefore used force to control them.

Plantation Life Slaves - jobs Worked in the fields (planted, cultivated and harvested crop) Worked as servants in the plantation houses (cooked, cleaned, and cared for children) Women and children worked alongside men in all jobs. Sometimes slaves were hired out by the master to others for a fee.

Plantation Life Slave – Living conditions Small cabins with dirt floors Provided minimum clothing and food Always being supervised by the master or overseer Had to pave a pass to leave plantation Often separated from family members through sale – slave marriages were not recognized by law Could not be taught to read or write Worked from dawn to dusk under harsh conditions Converted to Christianity and told by white preachers they should be happy with their place in the world Secretly practiced religion through spirituals with a strong emphasis on freedom

Plantation Life Slaves – Treatment Slaves were property and often sold or bought based on finances of owner Some owners were protective of their property and therefore treated their slaves fairly. Some owners were brutal and ruled by fear and force Slave patrols roamed the countryside looking for escaped slaves Runaways and disrespectful slaves were punished harshly

Plantation Life Slaves – fighting back There were a few small slave revolts but they were put down quickly. Most slaves protested in other ways: Slow working Secret destruction or theft of master’s property Feigning illness (pretending to be sick) Running away

Denmark Vesey Plot Denmark Vesey was a former slave who purchased his own freedom. Later in life, he organized a secret plan with several other slaves and freed African Americans. His plan was to start a large slave revolt in Charleston, SC and help the slaves overthrow their masters. The plot was discovered and most organizers were hanged. It also led to stricter laws and controls over slaves and freed African Americans.