Chapter 11: Cotton, Slavery, and the Old South

Before we begin examining Chapter 11, in your group answer the following questions: How did the Market / Economic Revolution change America? How do you think Andrew Jackson would have felt about it?

The Rise of King Cotton Up until the 1820s, tobacco was a major staple of the Southern agricultural economy. Cotton was grown; however, it was still overshadowed by rice and sugar Increase in the textile industry in New England increased the demand for cotton The removal of the N.A. combined with westward expansion opened up new land for cotton growing By 1860, the southern economy relied almost completely on cotton ,000 bales of cotton 1860 – 5,000,000 bales of cotton “Cotton is king!”

With the expansion of King Cotton, the expansion of slavery spread with it.

Why was Southern Industry weak? Weak financial / banking structure Inadequate transportation system Hardly any canals Poor roads Railroad system failed to tie the region together Inadequate transportation system Hardly any canals Poor roads Railroad system failed to tie the region together Too dependent on North

Canals in 1840

Brinkley discusses some arguments historians have as to why the South experienced “colonial dependency” to the North. What are those arguments and which one do you agree with?

White Society in the South

THE PLANTER CLASS Jigsaw “HONOR” THE SOUTHERN LADY THE PLAIN FOLK

Directions and Objectives Each group will have this class to prepare its lesson. Each lesson will be 5-7 minutes long. Be as creative and lively as you can when presenting / teaching Everyone is expected to participate in the presentation Non-presenting groups are expected to pay attention and take notes After all the groups have presented, everyone should have a good understanding of the social structure and make-up of white society in the “Old South”

The Culture of Slavery

Let’s Review…

Cultural Aspirations What is culture and what contributes to culture? Food Religion Language Literature Customs & Traditions

Slave Culture Language Pidgin: slave language that combined African and English words. - Just as important as language - Very rhythmic - Fields and religious services - Just as important as language - Very rhythmic - Fields and religious services MusicReligion - Most slaves were Christians (Baptists or Methodists) - Slaves formed their own version of Christianity - More emotional and joyful than whites - Most slaves were Christians (Baptists or Methodists) - Slaves formed their own version of Christianity - More emotional and joyful than whites Family - Marriages were common among slaves - Women bore children at a younger age - Families could be broken up at anytime Extended kinship networks - Paternal relationship with master - Marriages were common among slaves - Women bore children at a younger age - Families could be broken up at anytime Extended kinship networks - Paternal relationship with master

Slavery: The “Peculiar Institution”

Do you remember learning about “Black Codes?” Black Codes were laws during the Reconstruction period that limited the rights of freedmen….where did Southerners get the idea for them??????

Slave Codes SLAVE CODES Slaves cannot: 1.Own property 2.Leave their masters’ without permission 3.Be out after dark 4.Congregate with other slaves (other than church) 5.Carry a firearm 6.Strike a white Any person with a trace of African ancestry was defined as black.

Reality of Slavery Since the master was the end all be all, treatment of slaves was circumstantial. Some plantations experienced a different type of slavery – somewhat of a paternal relationship The majority of slaveowners were small farmers, however, the majority of slaves lived on medium to large plantations. This was a much different experience. Task and Gang Systems were utilized

Life Under Slavery Slavery was especially hard for women…why? High mortality rates….was life for factory workers in the North worse? Some slaveowners did try to prolong the lifespan of their slaves  slave children were shielded from hard labor until adolescence. Overseers were particularly harsh on slaves Females were vulnerable to sexual abuse from masters and overseers  children from these incidents were hardly ever recognized by their fathers

What was slavery like in the cities?

The Slave Trade 1.How were the slaves prepared for sale? 2.How is the owner of the slaves depicted? 3.How did you feel regarding the end of the reading?

Slave Resistance Nat Turner’s Revolt Disobedience to the master Refusing to work hard