1. Life in the South White Southerners The “Cottonacracy” Small Farmers
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
White Southerners
The “Cottonacracy”
Small Farmers
Poor Whites
African American Southerners
Free African Americans
Enslaved African Americans 8% 8%
50% 2%
32%

2. Life in the South The “Cottonacracy”
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
The “Cottonacracy”
Planter = 20 or more slaves
1 in 30 or 3% of whites owned 20 or more
only 1% of whites owned 50 or more
Because the richest of these plantation owners could hire “overseers” who would run their plantations, they could be involved in local, state, and national politics.

3. Life in the South White Southerners The “Cottonacracy” Small Farmers
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
White Southerners
The “Cottonacracy”
Small Farmers
Poor Whites
African American Southerners
Free African Americans
Enslaved African Americans 8% 8%
50% 2%
32%

4. Life in the South Small Farmers
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
Small Farmers
Owned small farms, mostly subsistence but would sell off any extra crops to local farm markets for money.
May own 1-2 slaves, but had to work in the fields right along with the slaves.
Poor Whites
Often didn’t own any land, or the poorest of land on the sides of hills and mountains.
Rented land from wealthy land owners.

5. Life in the South White Southerners The “Cottonacracy” Small Farmers
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
White Southerners
The “Cottonacracy”
Small Farmers
Poor Whites
African American Southerners
Free African Americans
Enslaved African Americans 8% 8%
50% 2%
32%

6. Life in the South African American Southerners Free African Americans
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
African American Southerners
Free African Americans
Often lived in the border states between free states and slave states like Maryland and Delaware or in the big cities in the South like New Orleans, Richmond, or Charleston.
Not allowed to vote or travel freely.

7. Life in the South White Southerners The “Cottonacracy” Small Farmers
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
White Southerners
The “Cottonacracy”
Small Farmers
Poor Whites
African American Southerners
Free African Americans
Enslaved African Americans 8% 8%
50% 2%
32%

8. Life in the South African American Southerners
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
African American Southerners
Enslaved African Americans
1/3 of the population in the South were enslaved Africans.
Both adults and children had to work on the plantations.
On a really large plantation, some African Americans were taught
Worked long hours sometimes sun up to sun down (16 hours)
Lived in extended families when possible, but were sometimes separated as slaves were sold.
Had strong religious beliefs that helped them to believe that they could make it to heaven.

9. Life in the South SLAVE CODES - cannot gather in groups of more than 3
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
SLAVE CODES
- cannot gather in groups of more than 3
(to prevent a protest or rebellion)
- cannot leave the plantation (w/o a pass from the owner)
- cannot own a gun (even to use for hunting)
- cannot learn to read and write
- cannot testify in in court

10. Life in the South Resistance to Slavery Little ways to fight back…
Chapter 14
section 4
Life in the South
Resistance to Slavery
Little ways to fight back…
- break tools, destroy crops, stole extra food for themselves
Major ways to fight back…
- escape to the North
- plan a revolt
Denmark Vesey / Nat Turner