NEXT The South’s economy relies on cotton, and the slave labor used to produce it. Antebellum Society 1800–1860 The South builds a cotton economy, but also creates a class system with race as the most critical factor.

NEXT Antebellum Society 1800–1860 SECTION 1 SECTION 2 Southern Culture Antebellum Society in Georgia

NEXT Section 1 Southern Culture The South becomes a distinct region that is quite different from other regions of the United States by the 1850s.

NEXT “Cotton is King” Southern Culture Antebellum South Focuses on Cotton Northern, Southern, Western U.S. develop into different regions Georgians focus on acquiring land, farming; often with slave labor Southern antebellum society based on cotton -antebellum means “before the war,” describes South before Civil War Late 1700s, cotton is Georgia’s most important crop English textile mills create huge demand SECTION 1 Continued...

NEXT SECTION 1 The Cotton Gin Most Georgia farmers grow short-staple cotton— seeds hard to remove Eli Whitney designs cotton gin in cotton gin—machine that removes seeds from cotton -allows each worker to clean 50 times more cotton per day More planters begin growing cotton as a result of cotton gin continued “Cotton is King” Image

NEXT SECTION 1 Cotton Gin Brings Changes Cotton boom allows South to focus on agriculture North focuses on industry Cotton easy to sell, commands high prices Planters begin to grow more cotton than any other crops Government takes natives off land so cotton farming can move inland South becomes dependent on cotton The Cotton Boom Map Continued...

NEXT SECTION 1 Slavery Expands Cotton requires large workforce; slavery increases in South Cotton profits in South increase tenfold, 1820– 1830s As profits rise, slave prices jump: -male field hand is $300 in 1790s; rises to $1,000 by late 1830s Slave importation illegal after continue to trade slaves already living in U.S. continued The Cotton Boom

NEXT SECTION 1 Innovations Too Expensive Many Georgia farmers cannot afford to invest in farming inventions -primary farm tool is hoe; thins plants, cuts weeds -one-mule cottonseed planter is often only equipment upgrade Difficulties with Farming Continued... Soil Exhaustion Farmers plant same crops each year; takes vital nutrients from soil “Exhausted” soil no longer supports crops; plantations shift west Some rich farmers use guano, bird droppings, as fertilizer by 1850s

NEXT SECTION 1 Crop Failures Georgians too reliant on cotton; use profits for more land, slaves Most pay cash to expand instead of borrowing, so no credit records -cannot prove they can repay a loan; if crops fail, many farms fail Central Bank of Georgia established 1828 to loan money to farmers continued Difficulties with Farming

NEXT SECTION 1 Industry is Limited Little industry in Georgia; some textile (cotton) mills; iron -these industries later vital to Civil War effort Timber still an important industry; mills in most counties Industry in Georgia Barriers to Industry Wealthy reinvest money in cotton instead of developing industries Planter class—no need to change industry while cotton is profitable

NEXT SECTION 1 River Travel Rivers are main transportation method until mid- 1800s -boats, rafts take goods west to fall line; goods carried inland Samuel Howard launches Georgia’s first steamboat, Enterprise, 1816 In 1819, Savannah makes first transatlantic steamboat trip -launched by group of Savannah businessmen Transportation in Georgia Continued...

NEXT SECTION 1 Railroads Railroads needed to send Midwestern goods to Southern coast In 1837, Construction of Western and Atlantic (W&A) Railroad begins -first W&A stake driven seven miles east of Chattahoochee River -staked spot called Terminus—beginning of modern-day Atlanta All but two major southern railroads pass through Atlanta by 1860 continued Transportation in Georgia

NEXT SECTION 1 Georgia’s Public School Systems Public education movement national by mid-1800s Georgia’s public school system still weak, develops later Georgia creates poor school system to educate needy children in 1817 Many Georgians embarrassed to send children to poor schools If able, families pay to send children to field schools instead Education neglected—20% of Georgia’s white adults literate by 1850 Education in Georgia Continued...

NEXT SECTION 1 Higher Education Franklin College chartered 1785, Georgia’s first public university -now University of Georgia at Athens, first state university in U.S. Medical College of Georgia opens in Augusta, medical training rare in America, but medicine improving Georgia Female College (later Wesleyan Female College) opens first women’s college in U.S., located in Macon, Methodist affiliation continued Education in Georgia

NEXT SECTION 1 The Great Revival Great Revival religious movement sweeps antebellum South and nation Church membership across U.S. higher than ever before Thousands attend camp meetings, hear fiery Protestant sermons Views on slavery divide Baptists, Methodists of the North and South Religion Slaves and Religion Most slaves forced into Christianity; owners believe it aids control Slaves identify with Bible story—children of Israel led to freedom Image

NEXT SECTION 1 Call for Reform Improvements in citizens’ welfare called for across America Georgia improves criminal treatment and facilities in 1816 More humane facility for mentally ill built in Milledgeville, 1842 School opens for deaf in Cave Springs, 1847 State opens Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon, 1852 Reform in Georgia

NEXT SECTION 1 Georgia Still Mostly Rural Savannah is Georgia’s largest city in 1860, 22,000 people Augusta—12,500; Columbus, Macon, Atlanta— under 10,000 each Most Georgians live in rural areas, small towns Georgia’s Cities

NEXT Antebellum Georgia develops distinct social classes based largely on race and partly on economic opportunity. Section 2 Antebellum Society in Georgia

NEXT The Old South Antebellum Society in Georgia Social Classes and Slavery Georgia, South divided into social classes; race the critical factor Whites of all classes see themselves as higher in status than blacks -even free, wealthy African Americans considered lower than whites Only about 25% of Southern whites own slaves -slave ownership sign of wealth, political power SECTION 2

NEXT Planters A Wealthy Minority Planters—wealthy elite, own 20 or more slaves on plantations Plantations—large farms extending hundreds of acres 1860, under 3,000 of Georgia’s 600,000 whites considered planters Planters live comfortably, but homes more modest than often depicted Wealthiest planters build “big house” mansions; lavish furnishings SECTION 2 Continued...

NEXT Small Communities Plantations small communities often equipped to support residents Plantation owners usually hire overseer to head farming operation Owners live in towns to enjoy social lives, better education Coastal owners come to cities to avoid disease- carrying insects Planters often well-educated, involved in society, community leaders SECTION 2 continued Planters

NEXT Yeoman Farmers The Majority of White Georgians Most Georgia whites yeoman farmers—own and farm a few acres of land Some slave owners, some rent farms from larger landowners Georgia’s small farmers live in rural settlements SECTION 2 Poor Whites Poor whites own no land, hire selves out to land, business owners Live at subsistence level; many move to towns, work in mills by 1860

NEXT Free African Americans Freedom Not Guaranteed About 3,500 free African Americans in Georgia, 1850 Slaveholders free slaves or slaves purchase their own freedom Live mainly in towns where they can find work Many free slaves still must register; some kidnapped and enslaved SECTION 2

NEXT Enslaved Africans Different Roles on a Plantation Field hands tend crops on plantation; driver maintains discipline Gang labor used on cotton plantations—slaves work together all day Others use task labor—assign specific jobs to individuals Some skilled slaves become carpenters, blacksmiths -some allowed to keep portion of earnings House slaves cook, clean, tend homes, care for children SECTION 2 Continued...

NEXT Life Under Slavery Slaves live in slave quarters; some in servants’ quarters in homes Many slaves allowed plots to grow food; some can sell surplus food Illegal to teach slaves literacy, but some taught; pass on knowledge Slaves can’t legally marry; many owners recognize informal marriage Owner may sell a slave anytime; children of slaves are also slaves Slave families often broken up throughout South SECTION 2 continued Enslaved Africans Image Continued...

NEXT Resistance Slaves develop means of protest; most common to work slowly Some escape to North; severe punishment to deter others if caught Many white Georgians fear slave revolts; pass strict slave codes SECTION 2 continued Enslaved Africans

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