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; 1860 4 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 RebellionSlaves Resistance and Rebellion One way slaves would One way slaves would

resistance was to slow down resistance was to slow down work. Another way was to work. Another way was to break tools. Some would break tools. Some would runaway. Others, but very runaway. Others, but very few, would plan rebellions.few, would plan rebellions.

Denmark VeseyDenmark Vesey – planned a – planned a slave revolt in Charleston. He slave revolt in Charleston. He was a free man. His plan was was a free man. His plan was spoiled before it even began, spoiled before it even began, However, the S. was scared However, the S. was scared of the possibility of slave of the possibility of slave rebellion.rebellion.

Nat TurnerNat Turner

Nat TurnerNat Turner – an educated slave and minister, he – an educated slave and minister, he believed that God had sent him a sign to lead a believed that God had sent him a sign to lead a slave revolt. He also claimed that he heard God’s slave revolt. He also claimed that he heard God’s voice. On Aug. 22, 1831, he lead an armed voice. On Aug. 22, 1831, he lead an armed rebellion killing more than 50 white people. rebellion killing more than 50 white people.

While awaiting execution, he showed no remorse While awaiting execution, he showed no remorse for his actions. He claimed that “he had acted in for his actions. He claimed that “he had acted in God’s name to free his people.”God’s name to free his people.”

Turner was hanged.Turner was hanged.

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

Missouri Compromise Con’tMissouri Compromise Con’tTallmadge AmendmentTallmadge Amendment – Allow – Allow slaves that live in Missouri in. No slaves that live in Missouri in. No new slaves can be brought into new slaves can be brought into Missouri. All current slaves in Missouri. All current slaves in Missouri set free at 25. Did not Missouri set free at 25. Did not pass.pass.

o The Final Solution – 1) Missouri = The Final Solution – 1) Missouri = slave state; Maine = free state. slave state; Maine = free state. Balance in Congress remains =. 2) Balance in Congress remains =. 2) 36, 30’ line. NO slavery above. 36, 30’ line. NO slavery above. Slavery can exist below. Line Slavery can exist below. Line extends to Rocky Mts.extends to Rocky Mts.

o Compromise was written by Compromise was written by Henry Henry Clay –Clay – Sen. From Kentucky. He Sen. From Kentucky. He was called “The Great was called “The Great Compromiser.” Compromiser.”

Election of 1824Election of 1824Sectionalism – Sectionalism – loyalty for loyalty for your section of the country; your section of the country; N, S, or W. Very evident in N, S, or W. Very evident in national politics in 1820’s.national politics in 1820’s.

The Candidates – 4 men The Candidates – 4 men who all considered “favorite who all considered “favorite sons” – they had the support sons” – they had the support of the leaders from their own of the leaders from their own home state. 1) home state. 1) Henry ClayHenry Clay – – Ken; Ken; Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson – – Tennessee; Tennessee; John Quincy John Quincy AdamsAdams – Massachusetts; – Massachusetts; William CrawfordWilliam Crawford – Georgia. – Georgia.

Election 1824 con’tElection 1824 con’tJackson won most Jackson won most popular votes but no popular votes but no candidate won majority of candidate won majority of electoral votes. Election electoral votes. Election goes to House of Rep. goes to House of Rep. They would select the They would select the candidate from the 3 who candidate from the 3 who had most votes – had most votes – Jackson, Adams, Jackson, Adams, Crawford. Clay was 4Crawford. Clay was 4thth and removed. However, and removed. However, Clay had a unique Clay had a unique position. He was position. He was Speaker of the House. Speaker of the House. Clay hated Jackson. He Clay hated Jackson. He supported Adams and supported Adams and Adams won the election. Adams won the election.

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