The Land of Cotton & Sectionalism Goal 2.3 & 2.1

The Southern Economy South thrived on agriculture. The upper South, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee grew tobacco. S.C. and Georgia grew rice. King Cotton – Eli Whitney visited the S. and saw cotton pickers removing seeds by hand. In ten days, he had invented a machine to remove the seeds. The Cotton Gin impacted the South more so than any other invention, 1792, S. produced 6,000 bales of cotton w/o cotton gin. 7 yrs. Later S. produced 100,000 bales w/ cotton gin.

King Cotton Cotton gin was invented at the same time textile mills were expanding in Europe. The vast majority of the S. cotton was exported to Europe. By 1840, S. was producing more than 2 million bales of cotton; million bales. The cotton gin also lead to an increased dependency on slavery. B/t 1820 and1860 enslaved population in S. rose from 1.5 million to 4 million.

Society in South S. was mostly rural. Had three major cities. Baltimore, Charleston, New Orleans. Most S. rely on North for goods. Slave labor was organized into 2 groups. 1) Task system – used on small farmers. Had a specific task. 2) Gang system – work in gangs from sun up to sun down. Monitored by a driver who was a slave picked by the master to oversee the workers. Slave Codes – laws for slaves. Could not own property. Could not leave farm w/o masters permission. Could not learn to read or write or serve on jury against whites. Could not own guns.

African American Culture Slaves made a culture of their own that helped them deal with their way of life. This included language, music, and religion. Songs – often had coded messages in them about runaway on Underground RxR. Many of these songs are still sung today in churches.

Slaves Resistance and Rebellion  One way slaves would resistance was to slow down work. Another way was to break tools. Some would runaway. Others, but very few, would plan rebellions.  Denmark Vesey – planned a slave revolt in Charleston. He was a free man. His plan was spoiled before it even began, However, the S. was scared of the possibility of slave rebellion.

Nat Turner  Nat Turner – an educated slave and minister, he believed that God had sent him a sign to lead a slave revolt. He also claimed that he heard God’s voice. On Aug. 22, 1831, he lead an armed rebellion killing more than 50 white people.  While awaiting execution, he showed no remorse for his actions. He claimed that “he had acted in God’s name to free his people.”  Turner was hanged.

Missouri Compromise Thomas Jefferson described the Missouri Compromise as, “Like a fire bell (fire alarm) in the night, awakened and filled me with terror. I considered it as the knell (funeral bell) of the Union. It is hushed, indeed for the moment, this is a reprieve only, not a final sentence. In 1819, US consisted of 11 slaves states and 11 free states. Missouri applied for statehood and wanted to a slave state. Two main questions arise. 1) What will we do to keep the balance of slave states and free states in Congress. 2) How will we label with the rest of the western land acquired from Louisiana Purchase? Slave of Free?

Missouri Compromise Con’t Tallmadge Amendment – Allow slaves that live in Missouri in. No new slaves can be brought into Missouri. All current slaves in Missouri set free at 25. Did not pass. o The Final Solution – 1) Missouri = slave state; Maine = free state. Balance in Congress remains =. 2) 36, 30’ line. NO slavery above. Slavery can exist below. Line extends to Rocky Mts. o Compromise was written by Henry Clay – Sen. From Kentucky. He was called “The Great Compromiser.”

Election of 1824 Sectionalism – loyalty for your section of the country; N, S, or W. Very evident in national politics in 1820’s. The Candidates – 4 men who all considered “favorite sons” – they had the support of the leaders from their own home state. 1) Henry Clay – Ken; Andrew Jackson – Tennessee; John Quincy Adams – Massachusetts; William Crawford – Georgia.

Election 1824 con’t Jackson won most popular votes but no candidate won majority of electoral votes. Election goes to House of Rep. They would select the candidate from the 3 who had most votes – Jackson, Adams, Crawford. Clay was 4 th and removed. However, Clay had a unique position. He was Speaker of the House. Clay hated Jackson. He supported Adams and Adams won the election.

Corrupt Bargain Why would a man from the west, Clay, not support another candidate from the west for Pres., Jackson? The answer – Adams had promised Clay that if he supported him in the House election, then he would appoint Clay as Sec. of State. No evidence was ever found to justify this, but it looks suspicious. Jackson supporters formed a new political party – The Dem-Republicans, shortened to the Democrats.