City Life vs. Plantation Life The North and the South before the Civil War before the Civil War

Where did they live? Urban life Urban life lived on small farms. lived on small farms. large towns and cities. large towns and cities. Rural life Rural life small farms or large plantations. small farms or large plantations. small towns. small towns.

Population Large population Large population In 1850, the North had 16,346,000 people. In 1850, the North had 16,346,000 people. In 1860, 9 of the 10 largest cities were in the North. In 1860, 9 of the 10 largest cities were in the North. Smaller population Smaller population In 1850, the South had 7,083,000 people. In 1850, the South had 7,083,000 people.

Northerners worked in large factories. Northerners worked in large factories. These jobs brought more people to the North. These jobs brought more people to the North. More immigrants from other countries More immigrants from other countries Southerners worked on farms, small towns, and large plantations. Southerners worked on farms, small towns, and large plantations. Plantations grew cash crops, like rice and cotton. Plantations grew cash crops, like rice and cotton. Depended on slave labor Depended on slave labor A Way of Life

Factory owners wanted higher tariffs on imported goods. Factory owners wanted higher tariffs on imported goods. This would encourage people to buy manufactured goods from the North. This would encourage people to buy manufactured goods from the North. Many railroads Many railroads Plantation owners wanted lower tariffs. Plantation owners wanted lower tariffs. They wanted to buy from Great Britain, and not from the North. They wanted to buy from Great Britain, and not from the North. Goods were less expensive in GB. Goods were less expensive in GB. Less railroads Less railroads

Way of Life Rocky soil, short growing season Rocky soil, short growing season Shipbuilding, commerce Shipbuilding, commerce Used rivers to power factories Used rivers to power factories More banks, businesses, schools More banks, businesses, schools Fertile soil, warm climate Fertile soil, warm climate Cotton gin increased cotton farms Cotton gin increased cotton farms Used rivers to transport goods Used rivers to transport goods Very few schools Very few schools

Slavery Most northern states outlawed slavery. Most northern states outlawed slavery. In factories, workers put in long hours, under difficult conditions, for low pay. In factories, workers put in long hours, under difficult conditions, for low pay. Most of the free African Americans lived in the North. Most of the free African Americans lived in the North. Slavery was allowed in the Southern states. Slavery was allowed in the Southern states. They grew many cash crops. They grew many cash crops. Slavery was profitable to the economy. Slavery was profitable to the economy. About 1/3 of Southern farmers owned slaves. About 1/3 of Southern farmers owned slaves.

Different Views on Slavery Those who opposed slavery were called abolitionists. Those who opposed slavery were called abolitionists. Abolitionists felt it was wrong for one human being to own another. Abolitionists felt it was wrong for one human being to own another. Southern slave owners defended slavery. Southern slave owners defended slavery. They argued that factories workers were just like slaves. They argued that factories workers were just like slaves.

Video Clips