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The Land of Cotton. Chapter 7 Section 3. Southern Economy- King Cotton. South’s economy was mainly agriculture Cotton becomes the main crop with the invention of the cotton gin 1792- year before gin- 6000 bales 1801- 100,000 bales The invention of the gin caused:
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The Land of Cotton Chapter 7 Section 3
Southern Economy- King Cotton • South’s economy was mainly agriculture • Cotton becomes the main crop with the invention of the cotton gin • 1792- year before gin- 6000 bales • 1801- 100,000 bales • The invention of the gin caused: • Demand for cotton to increase • Cotton prices to rise • Demand for slaves to rise
Slow Industrial Growth • South was mostly rural farms or plantations • Only large cities: New Orleans, Charleston & Baltimore • South had some industry • Purchased most manufactured goods
Alabama’s Statehood • Many early settles in MS on the MS river • After Horseshoe Bend, many began to move to eastern MS territory (now AL) • Territory was split, MS became a state in 1817 • Soon, the new AL territory was big enough to apply for statehood
Alabama’s Statehood • Became 22 state in 1819 • Opening of cotton land in south-central and southern AL (black belt) started a land boom • Many wanted cheap cotton land
Southern Society- Planters • Highest social class • 20% of Southerners owned slaves • About 2% owned more than 50 (planter class) • ½ of 1% owned large plantations- dominated politics
Yeoman Farmers • Most southern families were yeoman farmers • Most didn’t have slaves • Rural Farmers • Lowest class • Subsistence farmers/hunters
Slavery- Task System • Small farms • Slaves were given a task to do everyday • When they finished, they were done for the day
Gang System • Large plantations • Slaves worked in work gangs • Worked sunup to sundown • Made to work by driver or overseer
Slave codes • Slaves couldn’t own property, guns, etc • Slaves were property, not people
Free African Americans • Most Southern free Afr. Am lived in towns & cities in the upper South (MD,VA) • Rights differed from state to state • Northern free Afr. Am could organize churches, have jobs, own property, etc
African American Culture • Songs were important, helped pass long work days • Early 1800’s- most Afr. Am are Christians- important for hope- salvation & freedom
Slave Rebellions • Denmark Vesey- 1822- free Afr. Am in Charleston • Accused of plotting a slave rebellion • Arrested & executed • Nat Turner- 1831 • Had visions as a child • Became a preacher (he was a slave) • Believed he was special, God gave him a mission • Turner & other slaves killed Turners master & family • Went house to house killing whites • Gained other slaves as they went
Slave Rebellions • Ultimately killed 55 whites • Virginia militia captured the slaves (hung 15 on the spot) • Turner captured later • He confessed, was glad he did it & was executed • Turner’s Rebellion scared many whites • VA almost outlawed slavery, but didn’t • Caused states to pass harsh restrictions on Afr. Am