Unit 3: Antebellum Slavery to Reconstruction Chapter 6 Life in the Cotton Kingdom

What does Antebellum mean? A period of time before a war, usually refers to the American Civil War. 1820 – 1861 (start of Civil War) for reference purposes only

Section 1: The Expansion of Slavery Invention of cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 Led to rapid expansion of slavery – need land! Atlantic coast to Texas Slave population increased tremendously, 1790-1860 Grew fastest in Alabama and Mississippi

U.S. Slave Population, 1820 and 1860

Slave Population, 1820–1860 Map 6–2. Slavery spread southwestward from the upper South and the eastern seaboard following the spread of cotton cultivation. Source: Sam Bowers Hilliard, Atlas of Antebellum Southern Agriculture (Louisiana State University Press, 1984), pp. 29–34.

Cotton Production in the South, 1820–1860 Map 6–1. Cotton production expanded westward between 1820 and 1860 into Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and western Tennessee. Source: Sam Bowers Hilliard, Atlas of Antebellum Southern Agriculture (Louisiana State University Press, 1984) pp. 67–71.

Ownership: Slaves in the Old South Slavery unevenly distributed – think about the statistics from yesterday! 25% of white families owned slaves by 1860 Nearly half of slaveholders owned fewer than five 1% owned more than fifty slaves

Slave-Owning Population (1860)

Black Slaveholders There were Black Slaveholders, because . . . They did it to protect families from sale and disruption. Not very popular. In 1830, only 2% of free blacks owned slaves.

Section 1 Essential Questions Create an essential question from each of the headings below: The Expansion of Slavery Slave Population Growth and Ownership of Slaves in the Old South Black Slaveholders

Section 1 Essential Questions Why did slavery expand in the cotton kingdom? How was the slave population distributed across the South? Why did a small number of free blacks purchase slaves?

Section 2: Slave Labor in Agriculture Slaves in the South 55% cultivated cotton 20% grew tobacco or produced sugar, rice, hemp 15% domestic servants 10% trades and industries

An engraving dating from about 1860, slaves harvest cotton under white supervision on a southern plantation. Source: The Granger Collection, NY

Section 2 Essential Question This is a brief section – create one question from the title of the section: Slave Labor in Agriculture (the next level headings were different crops) What types of crops did slaves cultivate in the South?

Section 3: Other Types of Slave Labor 25% of all slaves did non-agricultural duties House slaves ~ “elite” slaves (cooks, maids, nurses, butlers, gardeners + Less physically demanding + Better food and clothing - Grueling to work in 19th century kitchens (Belle) - Constantly under white supervision

Photograph by L. D. Andrew, 1936, from a vintage photograph taken ca Photograph by L.D. Andrew, 1936, from a vintage photograph taken ca. 1880 - Georgia) http://www.gwu.edu/~folklife/bighouse/panel9.html

Domestic Slave with Planter's Family," Virginia, ca

Section 3: Other Types of Slave Labor Skilled craftsmen ~ more “elite” than house slaves and included carpenters, blacksmiths, and millwrights + Could travel for supplies and gave a taste of freedom + Could be hired out (work for $$)

Urban Slavery Were the “immigrants” of the South Jobs include: domestics, washwomen, stevedores, general laborers + Interacted with free black community + Had opportunities to hire out ($$)

Young African-American Stevedore Loading Cotton onto a Steamboat at New Orleans, 1800s http://www.art.com/products/p14385227-sa-i3032613/young-african-american-stevedore-loading-cotton-onto-a-steamboat-at-new-orleans-1800s.htm?sorig=0

Industrial Slavery Jobs included textile mills, iron working, lumber industry Most industrialist in the South hired slaves + Greater autonomy + Could provide path to freedom

What type of jobs/labor was performed by the slaves in the South?

Why did slavery expand in the cotton kingdom? How was the slave population distributed across the South? Why did a small number of free blacks purchase slaves? What types of crops did slaves cultivate in the South? What type of jobs/labor was performed by the slaves in the South?