The Land of Cotton Essential Questions: Do Now: Homework: How did the Southern economy become dependent upon cotton and slavery? What words best describe Southern society in the early nineteenth century? How did enslaved African American cope with their working conditions? Do Now: Pg. 151 Cotton Production # 1 and 2 Pg. 152 Slavery in the South # 1 and 2 Homework: Growing Sectionalism pg. 155

The Southern Economy Cotton played the greatest role in the South’s fortunes grown from inland South Carolina through Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and into eastern Texas. Cotton Becomes King Eli Whitney built a simple cotton gin that quickly and efficiently combed the seeds out of cotton bolls. The cotton gin increased cotton production and strengthened the institution of slavery. Industry Lags The South did not industrialize as quickly as the North Remained mostly a rural region that relied heavily on agriculture.

Society in the South The South’s economy resulted in a society with a rigid and clearly defined class structure. Top = Planter Elite Bottom = African Americans. Yeoman farmers people who owned and cultivated a small farm made up the vast majority of the white population.

Slavery Enslaved people had few legal rights with state slave codes prohibiting ownership of property, learning to read and write, or leaving a slaveholder’s premises without permission. Farms and small plantations operated on the task system in which enslaved people were given a specific set of jobs to accomplish every day. Large plantations operated on the gang system in which enslaved people worked in groups that labored from sunup to sundown. Some enslaved people staged work slowdowns, broke tools, set fire to houses and barns, or ran away.

Slave Labor Slavery used on plantations growing cash crops Cotton, tobacco, rice Slave driver forced slaves to work Whippings and beatings were used Slave owners feared revolts Led to brutal repression of slaves

Slave Life Slaves maintained culture, religious, family ties Spirituals – songs celebrating religion and deliverance Brer Rabbit tales – stories of resistance Created unique African-American culture

Effect of Slavery on White South 75% of white southerners did not own slaves Most supported slavery Believed whites superior to blacks Wages were lower in South because of competition from slaves Money was spent on slaves instead of industry Forced South to an agriculture economy South was dependent on northern industry South begin to believe government favored North