Effects of the Civil War on South Carolina’s Economy…

Collapse of the Plantation System.. Collapse of the Plantation System.. The plantation system collapsed as The plantation system collapsed as result of the loss of slave labor. result of the loss of slave labor. (due to the freeing of slaves (due to the freeing of slaves and the 13 th Amendment). and the 13 th Amendment).

However…  The agriculture, and the cotton economy of pre- war South Carolina survived because of the Sharecropping System.  There were no wages (money) available to pay for farm workers, so the sharecropping system was developed.  This enabled the farmers to use the available free African American’s for labor purposes.  What does that mean exactly? What? No pay?

Sharecropping System… Before the Civil War slaves lived in huts grouped together behind the plantation owner's house. The former slaves lived in slightly larger huts spread our around the plantation. There are also more roads as well as a church and school. After the war, slaves hoped that plantations would be divided among them, but they were not. The plantations were returned to the former owners. That meant the slaves still had nothing. Many did not want to work for wages because they were tired of always having to do what they were told. SO… The agreement was… The Landowner provided acreage (land), seed, and equipment such as hoes, and plows. The Freedman(Slave) provided the labor in exchange for a portion, or share, of the crop that was produced. Sharecropping Before Sharecropping

This result of this was… * The freedman had some control over his labor (pay) and provided manpower for the landowner. *This system mired (put at a disadvantage) the sharecropper, whether white or African American. *It didn’t help much with the issue of poverty or with the issue of being in debt. ***It didn’t really help either side.

Confederate money was worthless!!! There was no money to pay for re- building, paying taxes, or paying workers. = 0.00

 There was also a shortage of men due to so many war casualties. Many men died or were severely injured!

Day 2 Reconstruction Efforts in SC   Massive Destruction Trail in SC   Transportation Systems

As a result of the war…  There was massive destruction of cities, towns, factories, and railroads. “Sherman’s Bowties”

A fire in Charleston, and the bombardment of the city left the city in ruins.

Burning of Columbia…  Sherman’s March left the capital city and many towns along Sherman’s route destroyed

What about the factories? * Few factories had converted into war * Few factories had converted into war production, but the money paid by the production, but the money paid by the Confederate Gov. was worthless once the Confederate Gov. was worthless once the war ended so they went out of business. war ended so they went out of business. * Some factories had been destroyed! * Some factories had been destroyed!

What about Railroads?  Railroads and Bridges had been destroyed by both armies.  Discuss With a Partner: Why did the Union soldiers destroy the railroads and bridges?

Purpose of Reconstruction…  It was not to rebuild the destroyed economy of the South, but to reconstruct (rebuild) the political Union. (bring the North and the South back together as ONE!) Divided! AS ONE!

The U.S. Government did not think it was their responsibility to rebuild the South’s economy!  Due to the South’s beliefs about State’s Rights, the Government believed it was the state’s responsibility to rebuild their own economy. Remember me? I was the man who wanted each state to make its own decisions about slavery!!!