1. Chapter 11 Section 3
The Plantation South

2. The Cotton Kingdom
The North was urban and industrialized; the South was rural
Industrial Revolution raises demand for cotton
Before cotton gin, seeds had to be picked by hand (slow process)  gin made cotton growing more profitable  needed more workers (slaves)
Cotton greatest source of wealth for both North and South

3. The Cotton Kingdom
Alabama and Missouri depended on cotton  had large population of enslaved people
“Cotton Kingdom”: society run by plantation owners, who were very wealthy
However, more than half of farmers did not have slaves  grew corn, raised pigs and hogs
The South accepted slavery  felt that weakening control of African Americans would result in violent uprisings

4. The Cotton Kingdom
1830’s
The Northern whites demanded end of slavery, which made Southern whites angry
South said slaves were better off because they had guaranteed employment
North said their workers were free to quit if conditions were too harsh, which slaves could not do
Slaves often abused by their owners, employers

5. African Americans in the South
Not all African Americans were enslaved  6% were free (bought freedom from owners)
Laws against African Americans
Excluded from most jobs
Children could not attend public schools
Could not vote
Could not serve on jury
Could not testify against white defendants
Discouraged to travel

6. African Americans in the South
It was not safe on the streets  slave owners would try to catch free slaves and sell them back into slavery
For enslaved African Americans  NO RIGHTS
They were skilled workers, housekeepers, butlers, nannies
Worked almost to death, and whipped for punishment  families broken apart when sold

7. African Americans in the South
1808: Illegal to import slaves into the United States  people could not communicate with Africa  customs and traditions were still kept up
African Americans turned to Bible and spirituals
1831: Nat Turner leads slave revolt  kills approx. 60 white people  many African Americans were executed

8. VOCABULARY COTTON GIN SLAVE CODES SPIRITUAL
A spiked cylinder to remove seeds from cotton fibers
SLAVE CODES
Laws that controlled every aspect of their lives
SPIRITUAL
Religious folk songs that blended biblical themes with the realities of slavery