1. The Cotton Economy p. 299-307

2. Rise of King Cotton Tobacco: the first choice in the south! Problems: Prices subject to frequent depressions One went from 1820’s-1850’s Rapidly exhausted the land Thus, farmers in VA, MD, NC switched to other crops

3. Rise of King Cotton Rice: Mainly in SC, GA, FL More stable, more lucrative Demanded high amounts of irrigation 9-month growing season! Restricted to a very small geographic area

4. Rise of King Cotton Sugar: Along the gulf coast (LA and TX) Quite profitable Required intensive labor Long growing time

5. Rise of King Cotton Failures or limitations of the other crops led to COTTON! Hardy, could grow successfully in variety of climates Variety of soils Cotton gin made processing cotton much easier Demand grew very quickly (299)

6. Rise of King Cotton Production spread into SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, TX, AR Prices were up and down, but overall profitable By Civil War, cotton was 2/3 of the total export trade of the US! $200 million/year; “cotton is king”

7. Shift in Slave Population Dramatic increase in number of slaves in south (300 for examples) Sale of slaves to the Southwest US was an important economic activity

8. Southern Trade and Industry Manufacturing developed very slowly in south Total value of textile production in south was only 2% of value of cotton exports! Easy to see why south stayed with cotton! Merchants found buyers for cotton What do we know about the inadequate transportation system? Volunteers to discuss?

9. Other Stuff Read the stuff on pages 302-303, top paragraph. Share with a partner what you have in your notes I am sure you are all back on track and reading, RIGHT??????

10. White Society in the South Only a small minority in south owned slaves Only about 6% in 1850 The number changes somewhat when you consider that each family had 5 members in it, so the number was actually about 25% of homeowners had slaves

11. Time to Share I will draw a name out, and you will have to share on the following information: Planter Aristocracy Plantation Management Aristocratic Values Cult of Honor Subordinate Status of Women

12. Time to Share More sharing! Other burdens Limited educational opportunities Hill people Close relations with the plantation aristocracy Commitment to paternalism Limited class conflict