1. Understanding Slavery in America
The Antebellum Era

2. Your Assignment:
Work as a class to discuss the characteristics of the South and their dependence on the “peculiar institution” of slavery.
The following slides contain resources to help inspire your discussion. You should only spend about 2 minutes on each slide.
Everyone must participate. It is up to you as a class to make sure this happens.

3. Political Motivations
Discuss the characteristics of the South and their dependence on the “peculiar institution” of slavery.
Political Motivations

4. Early Emancipation in the North

5. Missouri Compromise, 1820

6. Discuss the characteristics of the South and their dependence on the “peculiar institution” of slavery.
Economics

7. Southern Agriculture

8. Changes in Cotton Production
“Cotton is King”
1820
1860
Changes in Cotton Production

9. Value of Cotton Exports As % of All US Exports

10. Slaves Using the Cotton Gin

12. Slave Auction: Charleston, SC-1856

14. Discuss the characteristics of the South and their dependence on the “peculiar institution” of slavery.
Social

15. Southern Society Hierarchy
“Slavocracy” [plantation owners]
6,000,000
The “Plain Folk” [white yeoman farmers]
Black Freemen
250,000
Black Slaves 3,200,000
Total US Population  23,000,000 [9,250,000 in the South = 40%]

16. Slave-Owning Population (1850)

17. Slave-Owning Families (1850)

18. Southern Population

19. Slave Life

20. Different Perspectives
Discuss the characteristics of the South and their dependence on the “peculiar institution” of slavery.
Different Perspectives

21. Southern Pro-Slavery Propaganda

22. “SAMBO” pattern of behavior used as a charade in front of whites [the innocent, laughing black man caricature – bulging eyes, thick lips, big smile, etc.].

23. Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum South: Nat Turner, 1831