Antebellum South Carolina

1. Antebellum South Carolina 8-4.1

2. I. Slavery in SC • Agriculture was how SC had always made most of its money. • Large plantations were built using headright system and slave labor. • By 1860, SC had the highest percentage of slave holders. • Most owned NO slaves. • Most slave owners averaged 1 or 2 and worked along side.

3. II. Cotton becomes king • In 1793, Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin. • It cleans the seeds out of the cotton. • Cotton now becomes a huge cash crop for the entire South. • Slave population increases to meet the demand.

4. II. Cotton becomes king

5. II. Cotton becomes king • The Upcountry, which used to be anti-slavery, now begins to use slaves to grow cotton. • The Lowcountry, which always used slaves, now feels comfortable giving equal power to the Upcountry.

6. II. Cotton becomes king • In 1810, they amended the SC Constitution to say “every free white man of 21” could vote where he lived. • SC was 1st to give the vote to all white males over 21

7. III. Making Money • The international slave trade was outlawed in 1808 by the US Constitution. • Slave populations grew though to meet the demand for cotton. • It was sent to mills in the North and England. • Plantation AND factory owners got rich from slave labor.

8. III. Making Money • Growing cotton depletes the soil of many nutrients. • Cotton made so much money they didn’t try other crops, they just moved to new land. • This lead to wanting slavery to expand into the west.

9. IV. Plantation Life • Plantations tried to be self-sustaining. • Slaves did the work in and out of the house. • Field slaves worked in the fields. • They cleared land, planted, grew, and harvested crops. • Worked 6 days a week from dawn to dusk. • Men, women, and children were field slaves. • Had to follow an overseer.

10. IV. Plantation Life • House slaves worked in the house. • They cleaned, washed, prepared food, and cared for children and family. • Some slaves could do work that their owners would rent them out and make money.

11. IV. Plantation Life • Slaves were an expensive investment. • Many were treated humanely physically, but still kept from their freedom. • Slaves were given the minimum of food, clothing, and shelter required to keep working. • Slave families were often split up and sold b/c slave marriages weren’t legal.

12. IV. Plantation Life • Slaves were forbidden to learn to read or write. • The master ran the plantation and the overseer. • The mistress ran the house and often cared for sick slaves • Slave life was seen as a positive good by whites. • “Slaves are so dumb, without white people they could never survive.”

13. V. Slave life • Slaves lived in small cabins near the Big House • Dirt floors and often more than one family in each one. • A pass was required to travel off of the plantation. • Patrols roamed looking for runaways • Runaways were harshly punished

14. V. Slave life

15. V. Slave life • Not as many slave revolts as you’d think. • Most protest were work slow downs, slyly breaking equipment, or faking illness. • All of these lower production which lowers profits.

16. V. Slave life • Slaves converted to Christianity and went to white churches. • Were taught they should be happy with their life. • In secret, they learned about freedom and used church as a way to discuss it.