The Southern Cotton Economy and Social Structure Before the Civil War

Chapter 8.2 Goal 2

Cotton will prevent war • Southern states believed that because of the world economic ties to “king cotton” that this would prevent any serious talk of ending slavery. • And if war did come GB would help them because of their dependence on cotton.

The Planter “Aristocracy” • Antebellum (pre-civil war) south was an oligarchy (government by a few elite) • 1850 only 1, 733 families owned more than 100 slaves each and this group ruled the south (cottonocracy)

“Myth of the Planter Class”

White Majority • Southern society was very structured, with elite large plantation owners at the top • Next is small farmers who owned a few slaves • About ¾ of southern whites DID NOT own slaves and of those that did most owned only 2 or 3 • Next are whites who did not own slaves (3/4 of population) • Resented the “snobocracy” yet aspired to be them some day. • SEE MAPS ON PAGE 354-355!!!!

“Poor Whites” • Most of population very poor and looked down upon by elite • Called “poor white trash”, “hillbillies”, “crackers”, “clay eaters” • Often chewed clay to supplement their diet and as a result got hookworms • Typically very racists even though did not have slaves. Felt that even though they had it bad were still better off than the slaves.

“Hillbillies” • Lived in mountains and had toughest life of the whites • Very isolated from rest of population • In general, were NOT strong supporters of slavery because had no need for slaves in the mountains and HATED the plantation owners that controlled the society and government • When civil war breaks out those in the VA mountains will form state of West VA

Free African Americans • There were some free African Americans in the south and ranked just below poor whites on the social scale • In 1860, 250,000 in the South • Slaves could be freed by one of many methods…. • By a movement of emancipation right after American Revolution • By slave owner (usually these were the offspring of master and slave) • By purchasing one’s freedom • Many freed African Americans owned property • Large mixed raced population in New Orleans • Few even owned slaves • Still free African Americans seen as 2nd and 3rd class citizens. Pro-slavery crowd fears them • Could be sold back into slavery or kidnapped

Free African Americans in the North • Were not treated well in the North either • Seen as job competition by immigrants • About 250,000 living in North • Some states forbid free African Americans to live there other states barred them from schools, right to vote, jobs

Frederick Douglass • An abolitionist and self-educated speaker • One of the leading spokesman for the cause of slaves and free African Americans • Escaped from slavery himself, wrote numerous books “Life and Times of Frederick Douglass” considered one of the best accounts of slavery • Very politically minded, Supported Liberty Party, Free Soil Party and Republican

Plantation Slavery • Peculiar Institution • Slavery is foundation of southern cotton economy • By 1860, 4 million slaves in America • Slave importation banned in 1808. Although slaves still smuggled into US with few penalties. Also, natural increase allowed for slave population to rise • Slaves seen as an investment—one to be guarded, preferred to use Irish for dangerous jobs rather than lose a slave

Life under the Lash • Conditions of slaves varied from region to region • Whippings were not uncommon • Worked usually from dawn to dusk • No civil or political rights • Slaves could not testify in court or have their marriages legally recognized • Some states banned sale of child under 10 from mother (not that it was often enforced)

Life for Slaves • Somewhat stable family life • Family identity is important • This is seen in the widespread practice of naming children for grandparents and adopting surname of the non-current master • Avoided marriage of first cousins (as was done by planter class) • Mix of religion • Own music, song, dance

Nat Turner • Born into slavery (1800) south hampton, VA • Preacher who believe he had been born to lead the slaves out of bondage • August 1831, during an eclipse of the sun (he believed was a sign) he and 80 followers attacked 4 plantations and killed approx 60 whites before being captured by federal troops • Turner was able to escape but was eventually captured, tried, and hanged • In retaliation, whites killed 200 slaves

Result of Slave Rebellions • None were massively successful • Scared whites which led to increase in tighten security and black codes • Try to keep control, forbid any education (education will lead to ideas of freedom) • Slaves did have ways of rebelling (slow downs, “playing dumb”, poisoning, maiming farm animals or equipment, etc)

Radical Abolitionism • William Lloyd Garrison, published radical abolitionist newspaper “The Liberator” • Debut Jan 1, 1831 • Last for 30 years • Calls for immediate end of slavery with no compensation • Critics says his paper fans the flames of the anti-slavery movement but offers no real solutions

Southern Response • Were southerners who were against slavery and in the 1820’s more antislavery groups south of Mason-Dixon Line (originally southern border of PA) than above it • After 1830 this changes due to the fear created by Nat Turner’s rebellion and idea of eventual emancipation that was discussed in VA legislature was defeated, Nullification Crisis (Andrew Jackson and Tariff of Abominations) conjures up fear of Federal invasion

Southern Defense of Slavery • Say that Bible supported slavery, refer to references of slaves in the Bible, often use the “curse of Ham” (Noah’s son and supposed father of Africa, who was cursed to serve his brothers) • Slave owners encouraged religion amongst their slaves, “saving of souls” • Apologists view said that master-slave relationship was like that of a family (paternalism) • Slaves had it better off than working poor in the North. Did not have to worry about unemployment or starvation, homelessness, lack of care in old age, health care, etc. • Most of all pro-slavers did not want to talk about slavery. In congress (1836) passage of Gag Rule or Gag Resolution, passes through H or R, all antislavery appeals must be tabled without discussion

Impact of Abolition on the North • Extreme abolitionists like Garrison were not very popular • Often seen as disruptive to the Union • Also, many Northerners recognized their dependence and nation’s economic dependence on cotton and money from cotton • Still idea of south as land of “unfree” will spark political parties based on “free soil” and abolition

The Southern Cotton Economy and Social Structure Before the Civil War