1. Southern Class System
Life in the South

2. The Planter Owned at least 20 slaves
In 1860, 1 in 30 southerners belonged to the planter family - Fewer than 1% owned more than 50 slaves
Wealthy families were called the cottonocracy because they made huge amounts of money from cotton
A major responsibility was: Political Leaders

3. The Planter

4. This group made up 75% of Southern Whites
Small Farmers
This group made up 75% of Southern Whites
They owned the land they worked
Owned 1 or 2 slaves
A major responsibility was: Helping each other

5. Small Farmers

6. Poor Whites They did not own the land they worked
They paid rent, often in crops
They lived in the hilly or wooded areas of the South
Poor whites rarely grew cash crops. They often grew crops such as: Corn, Potatoes, and other vegetables

7. Poor Whites

8. Free Blacks
Most were descended from slaves freed during the American Revolution
By 1860: 200,000 free blacks lived in the South
Free blacks were not allowed to: Vote or Travel

9. Free Blacks

10. Slave Codes Laws to keep slaves from running away
Forbidden to gather in groups of 3 or more
Could not leave without a written pass
Not allowed to own a gun
Crime to learn to read and write

11. Slave Codes

12. Work Worked from dawn until dusk
Some whipped slaves to get a full days work

13. Family Did not recognize slave marriage
Family was a source of strength, pride and love

14. Religion By the 1800s, many African Americans were devout Christians
Religion helped many deal with the harshness of slave life
Biblical stories of how Hebrew slaves escaped, inspired many spirituals

15. Religion

16. North / South Compared
NORTH
SOUTH
Climate
Crops
Industry
Inventions
Working Conditions
People
Interaction
Discrimination