1. Antebellum Society
USHC 2.4: Compare the social and cultural characteristics of the North, the South, and the West during the antebellum period, including the lives of African Americans and social reform movements such as abolition and women’s rights.

2. Sectionalism Continues
Antebellum – literally means “before the war.”
Sectionalism grows increasingly more heated
North
Diversified economy – multiple industries need immigrants to supply labor force
South
“King Cotton” ties the economic interests of the South completely to slavery
West
More agricultural, like South, but tended to side with North to ensure internal improvements and access to land
Need for settlers – many immigrants of all types

3. Immigration in Mid 1800’s North West South Germans Irish Italians
Chinese
South
Little immigration

4. Northern Culture Diversity More urban than other regions
Attraction of immigrants to jobs in cities
Population grows rapidly – “melting pot”
More urban than other regions
Towns and Cities
Commercial centers – NY, Boston, Philadelphia
Public education widespread
Education of immigrants
HIGH TARIFFS
NATIONAL BANK
African Americans
Few slaves in North
Segregated and Discriminated against in North

5. Southern Culture South LOW TARIFFS EXPANSION OF SLAVERY TO WEST
Continues to be dominated in government and society by the elite Planters
Majority of Southerners do NOT own slaves
Highest rate about 30%
most slaves owned by less than 1% of population
Much too expensive for most people
No big cities
Proximity to rivers
Large, spread out land holdings
Few immigrants – no industries
Slave culture
LOW TARIFFS
EXPANSION OF SLAVERY TO WEST

6. Western Culture Settlers bring culture with them
Northwest mirrored the North
Southwest mirrored the South
Over time, western culture develops
Rugged individualism – belief that each person could be self-sufficient and survive based on hard work
CHEAP LAND
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
UNCONTROLLED BANKING

7. African Americans in US
North
continued to have slaves into the 1830’s
Could marry, but no voting or other rights
Worst jobs, paid less
South
Most are slaves – conditions varied
some are “free blacks” – worked in cities
Job opportunities actually better in South
West
Many head west to work as laborers
cowboys

8. Great Awakening Religious revival throughout country in 1830’s
Strongest support in North and Midwest
“Burned Over District” in western New York
Nicknamed due to the ‘fire and brimstone’ sermons
Sparks creation of several new denominations
Reform movements emerge from religious zeal
Abolitionism
Temperance
Women’s Rights

9. Abolitionism Abolitionism – movement to permanently abolish slavery
Leaders both black and white
Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman
William Lloyd Garrison and the Grimke Sisters
Books, magazines, newspaper used to spread ideas
Underground Railroad
Network of paths, buildings to help slaves escape North
Some lead rebellions – Nat Turner, John Brown
South reacts
Agitates Southern states to tighten control of slaves
Apologists argue slavery a “positive good”
Movement divides over women speaking and whether force should be used

10. Women’s Rights Emerged out of the abolitionist movement
Denied the right to participate in abolitionist conventions
Seneca Falls Convention, 1848
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Lucretia Mott
Complaints – limited access to education, right to own and control property, power to divorce
Unsuccessful in obtaining any rights in antebellum period

11. North
South
West
Social
Cultural