the south and the slavery controversy chapter 16 apush

The South and the Slavery The South and the Slavery ControversyControversy

Chapter 16 APUSHChapter 16 APUSH

Early Emancipation in the Early Emancipation in the NorthNorth

Early Emancipation in the Early Emancipation in the NorthNorth

Missouri Compromise, Missouri Compromise, 18201820

Missouri Compromise, Missouri Compromise, 18201820

• Cotton Kingdom develops to huge agricultural factory• Northern shippers reaped a large part of the profits from the cotton trade•to a large degree, the prosperity of the both the North and the South rested on the bent backs of slaves

• South produced more than half the world’s cotton supply-A fact that held foreign nations in economic bondage to the South.

-Britain was the world economic superpower and 1/5 of its population drew its wealth from cotton cloth - 75% of that cotton came from the South - South knew it

King CottonKing Cotton

Changes in Cotton Changes in Cotton ProductionProduction

Changes in Cotton Changes in Cotton ProductionProduction

18201820

18601860

Value of Cotton Exports Value of Cotton Exports As % of All US ExportsAs % of All US Exports

Value of Cotton Exports Value of Cotton Exports As % of All US ExportsAs % of All US Exports

Southern Society as an Southern Society as an Oligarchy rather than a Oligarchy rather than a

DemocracyDemocracy

• Planter aristocrats had the majority of the Planter aristocrats had the majority of the wealthwealth

–Educated their children in private schoolsEducated their children in private schools–These young became experts at statecraft: John These young became experts at statecraft: John C. Calhoun; Jefferson Davis - felt a keen sense to C. Calhoun; Jefferson Davis - felt a keen sense to serve the publicserve the public–But widened gap b/w rich and poorBut widened gap b/w rich and poor–No reason to favor tax-supported public No reason to favor tax-supported public educationeducation

Southern PopulationSouthern PopulationSouthern PopulationSouthern Population

The “Wasteful” Plantation SystemThe “Wasteful” Plantation System1.1. Economic system becomes monopolisticEconomic system becomes monopolistic

• Small farmers must sell their landholdings and move north or westSmall farmers must sell their landholdings and move north or west

2.2. Financial instability of the systemFinancial instability of the system– Led to over speculation in land and slavesLed to over speculation in land and slaves– (supporting evidence) slaves fed for .10 cents a day but could cost $1,200 each; (supporting evidence) slaves fed for .10 cents a day but could cost $1,200 each;

they could be injured; they could run away; they could be wiped out by diseasethey could be injured; they could run away; they could be wiped out by disease

3.3. Agribusiness - King Cotton meant one crop economy. No Agribusiness - King Cotton meant one crop economy. No diversification or industrydiversification or industry

4.4. Southern planters resent watching North grow fat at their expenseSouthern planters resent watching North grow fat at their expense– (supporting cultural division) Southerners resent being wrapped in Northern cloth, (supporting cultural division) Southerners resent being wrapped in Northern cloth,

coffins with Yankee nailscoffins with Yankee nails

5.5. Cotton Kingdom repelled large scale European immigrationCotton Kingdom repelled large scale European immigration– No diversity of peopleNo diversity of people– Irish immigration would have to compete with slave laborIrish immigration would have to compete with slave labor

Southern Southern AgricultureAgricultureSouthern Southern

AgricultureAgriculture

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Antebellum SouthAntebellum South

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Antebellum SouthAntebellum South

1.1. Primarily agrarian.Primarily agrarian.

2.2. Economic power shifted from the Economic power shifted from the “upper South” to the “lower South.”“upper South” to the “lower South.”

3.3. ““Cotton Is King!”Cotton Is King!” * 1860 * 1860 5 mil. bales a yr. 5 mil. bales a yr. (57% of total US exports). (57% of total US exports).

4.4. Very slow development of industrialization.Very slow development of industrialization.

5.5. Rudimentary financial system.Rudimentary financial system.

6.6. Inadequate transportation system.Inadequate transportation system.

•1/4 of white southerners owned slaves1/4 of white southerners owned slaves–Smaller slave owners did not own a majority of the slaves but Smaller slave owners did not own a majority of the slaves but they made up the majority of the mastersthey made up the majority of the masters–Typically modest farmhouses, working with and eating with the Typically modest farmhouses, working with and eating with the slavesslaves

•Beneath them: 3/4 white southerners Beneath them: 3/4 white southerners owned no slavesowned no slaves

– Redneck farmers living on thinner soils of backcountry and Redneck farmers living on thinner soils of backcountry and mountains.mountains.

–Subsistence farmers - corn and hogs. Isolated livesSubsistence farmers - corn and hogs. Isolated lives

•Below them - “poor white trash”Below them - “poor white trash”• All these whites without slaves had no direct All these whites without slaves had no direct stake in preservation of slavery yet they were stake in preservation of slavery yet they were among the stoutest defenders. Why?among the stoutest defenders. Why?

Southern Society Southern Society (1850)(1850)

Southern Society Southern Society (1850)(1850)““Slaveocracy”Slaveocracy”

[plantation owners][plantation owners]““Slaveocracy”Slaveocracy”[plantation owners][plantation owners]

The “Plain Folk”The “Plain Folk”[white yeoman farmers][white yeoman farmers]The “Plain Folk”The “Plain Folk”

[white yeoman farmers][white yeoman farmers]

6,000,0006,000,000

Black FreemenBlack FreemenBlack FreemenBlack Freemen

Black SlavesBlack Slaves3,200,0003,200,000

Black SlavesBlack Slaves3,200,0003,200,000

250,000250,000

Total US Population Total US Population 23,000,000 23,000,000[9,250,000 in the South = 40%][9,250,000 in the South = 40%]

Slave-Owning Families Slave-Owning Families (1850)(1850)

Slave-Owning Families Slave-Owning Families (1850)(1850)

Slave-Owning Population Slave-Owning Population (1850)(1850)

Slave-Owning Population Slave-Owning Population (1850)(1850)

• All these whites without slaves had no direct All these whites without slaves had no direct stake in preservation of slavery yet they were stake in preservation of slavery yet they were among the stoutest defenders. Why?among the stoutest defenders. Why?–Hope of American dream - one day they might own Hope of American dream - one day they might own slavesslaves–Fierce in need to proclaim racial superiority (Jerry Fierce in need to proclaim racial superiority (Jerry Springer theory…?)Springer theory…?)–Always want to outrank someone elseAlways want to outrank someone else

NC Mountain Boys (Appalachian)NC Mountain Boys (Appalachian)• Little in common with whites of flatlandsLittle in common with whites of flatlands• Isolated- Elizabethan EnglishIsolated- Elizabethan English• ““rich man’s war but poor man’s fight”rich man’s war but poor man’s fight”

• when war came this group formed a vital Union peninsula jutting down into secessionist territory

Free blacks Free blacks • purchased freedom purchased freedom

•often illegal to marry within the state of often illegal to marry within the state of residenceresidence•Owned propertyOwned property•Owned other slavesOwned other slaves•Couldn’t testify in courtCouldn’t testify in court•Vulnerable to being kidnapped and Vulnerable to being kidnapped and sold into slaverysold into slavery•Freed blacks unpopular in NorthFreed blacks unpopular in North

–Compete with immigrant laborCompete with immigrant labor–Frederick DouglasFrederick Douglas

Slave LifeSlave LifeSlave LifeSlave Life

Southern Slavery--> An Southern Slavery--> An Aberration?Aberration?

Southern Slavery--> An Southern Slavery--> An Aberration?Aberration?

• 1780s: 1st antislavery society created in Phila.

• By 1804: slavery eliminated from last northern state.

• 1807: the legal termination of the slave trade, enforced by the Royal Navy.

• 1820s: newly independent. Republics of Central & So. America declared their slaves free.

• 1833: slavery abolished throughout the British Empire.

• 1844: slavery abolished in the Fr. colonies.

• 1861: the serfs of Russia were emancipated.

African American CultureAfrican American Culture

• Deep South - relatively stable culture so Deep South - relatively stable culture so more distinctive culturemore distinctive culture

• Dance, religion (Israelites in Egypt - “let Dance, religion (Israelites in Egypt - “let my people go”), “sister” and “brother”my people go”), “sister” and “brother”

The Culture of SlaveryThe Culture of SlaveryThe Culture of SlaveryThe Culture of Slavery1. Black Christianity [Baptists or Methodists]:

* more emotional worship services. * negro spirituals.

2. Nuclear family with extended kin links,where possible.

3. Importance of music in their lives. [esp. spirituals].

Slave ResistanceSlave ResistanceSlave ResistanceSlave Resistance• Refusal to work hard.

• Isolated acts of sabotage.

• Escape via the Underground Railroad.

Slave Rebellions Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum Southin the Antebellum South

Slave Rebellions Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum Southin the Antebellum South

1822

Gabriel Prosser1800

Henrico, VACharleston, S.C. On August 30, 2007, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine informally

pardoned Gabriel and his co-conspirators

Slave Rebellions in the Slave Rebellions in the Antebellum South:Antebellum South:

Nat Turner, Nat Turner, 18311831



Abolitionist MovementAbolitionist Movement 1816 American Colonization Society created (gradual, voluntary emancipation.)

British Colonization Society symbol

Abolitionist MovementAbolitionist Movement

• Create a free slave state in Liberia, WestAfrica.

• No real anti-slavery sentiment in the North in the 1820s & 1830s.

Gradualists Immediatists

Reformers of the EraReformers of the Era

• Theodore Dwight Weld - spiritually Theodore Dwight Weld - spiritually inspired. Rebels at Lane Theological inspired. Rebels at Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio = Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio = “Lane “Lane Rebels”Rebels”

William Lloyd Garrison (1801-1879)

William Lloyd Garrison (1801-1879)

• Slavery & Masonryundermined republicanvalues.

• Immediate emancipation with NO compensation.

• Slavery was a moral, notan economic issue.

R2-4

The LiberatorThe Liberator

Premiere issue January 1, 1831

R2-5

Other White AbolitionistsOther White Abolitionists

Lewis Tappan

Arthur Tappan

James Birney

• Liberty Party.• Ran for President in

1840 & 1844.

Black AbolitionistsBlack Abolitionists

David Walker (1785-1830)-Appeal to the ColoredCitizens of the World

-Fight for freedom rather than wait to be set free by whites.

Frederick Douglass (1817-1895)

Frederick Douglass (1817-1895)

1845 The Narrative of the Life Of Frederick Douglass1847 “The North Star”

R2-12

1852 Speech of Frederick Douglass in honor of 1852 Speech of Frederick Douglass in honor of signing of Declaration of Independence,signing of Declaration of Independence,

“This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn…. Above your national, may rejoice, I must mourn…. Above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions”tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions”

Sojourner Truth (1787-1883)

Sojourner Truth (1787-1883)

1850 The Narrative of Sojourner Truth R2-10

Harriet Tubman(1820-1913)Harriet Tubman(1820-1913)

• Helped over 300 slaves to freedom.

• $40,000 bounty on her head.

• Served as a Union spy during the Civil War.

“Moses”

1831-18321831-1832Turning Point:Turning Point: Virginia Virginia

Legislature DebateLegislature Debate

• emancipation proposalsemancipation proposals

• defeateddefeated

• result: tightened slave codesresult: tightened slave codes

• result: no emancipation whatsoever - result: no emancipation whatsoever - voluntary or compensated! It is illegal!voluntary or compensated! It is illegal!

Va Legislature Debate 1831-1832Va Legislature Debate 1831-1832

Thomas WrightThomas Wright

If you wish to speak of economic advantages, I have some facts for you to consider regarding If you wish to speak of economic advantages, I have some facts for you to consider regarding the efficiency of free labor and slave labor. The best estimates are that it takes six slaves to do the efficiency of free labor and slave labor. The best estimates are that it takes six slaves to do the work of three free laborers. The slave receives the same support and food whether he the work of three free laborers. The slave receives the same support and food whether he works much or little. The slave has every inducement to spare himself as much work as works much or little. The slave has every inducement to spare himself as much work as possible without drawing punishment. Free laborers work hard for short periods. This gives possible without drawing punishment. Free laborers work hard for short periods. This gives them free time to be idle. When idle, the free laborer does not have to be paid. Therefore, free them free time to be idle. When idle, the free laborer does not have to be paid. Therefore, free labor is cheaper than slave labor. labor is cheaper than slave labor.

In 1800, field hands were selling for $400 and cotton was 36 cents per pound. Today slaves In 1800, field hands were selling for $400 and cotton was 36 cents per pound. Today slaves sell for $800 to $1000 and cotton is 11½ cents per pound.sell for $800 to $1000 and cotton is 11½ cents per pound.

One half of the slave owners have fewer than twenty slaves. The economic loss of slaves as One half of the slave owners have fewer than twenty slaves. The economic loss of slaves as property will be more than offset by decreased labor cost and greater productivity.property will be more than offset by decreased labor cost and greater productivity.

Emancipation can result in a greater supply of cheap labor that will mean profitable industrial Emancipation can result in a greater supply of cheap labor that will mean profitable industrial operation. Of course, safeguards must be taken to see that laborers are not exploited or operation. Of course, safeguards must be taken to see that laborers are not exploited or abused.abused.


Amos LovejoyAmos Lovejoy

Slaves should be freed but not all at once. As a step toward complete Slaves should be freed but not all at once. As a step toward complete freedom, several practices should change. The power of punishing slaves freedom, several practices should change. The power of punishing slaves could be taken from the master and given to a magistrate. The sale of all could be taken from the master and given to a magistrate. The sale of all women could be stopped at once. All slaves could be provided wages women could be stopped at once. All slaves could be provided wages rather than using punishment as an incentive.rather than using punishment as an incentive.

A second step could involve the complete release of slaves born on certain A second step could involve the complete release of slaves born on certain days periodically. Over a period of years, all slaves could be set free. days periodically. Over a period of years, all slaves could be set free. Such a system has already worked in Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. In no Such a system has already worked in Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. In no case has there been insurrection and bloodshed as is feared here.case has there been insurrection and bloodshed as is feared here.

Taking steps toward freeing slaves will lessen the possibility of violence Taking steps toward freeing slaves will lessen the possibility of violence and insurrection.and insurrection.


James Hammond

In the state of Virginia, there are 470,000 slaves. The aggregate value of the slave population in Virginia in 1830 was $94,000,000. All of the land and homes were valued at $206,000,000. Slaves represent one-third of the property. Therefore, slaves should not be freed without just compensation to their owners.

I propose that those slaves normally sold outside this state be sold to the State and colonized elsewhere at the expense of the State.

This proposal will mean that 6,000 slaves would be given their freedom annually and colonized at the expense of the State. This would cost $2,400,000 annually. This is a modest investment to preserve the economy of the state. If the State cannot afford it, perhaps the federal government could be called upon to compensate owners for their slaves.


Samuel HoltSamuel Holt

The idea of emancipation and relocation as proposed by some sounds good. The idea of emancipation and relocation as proposed by some sounds good. However, further examination exposes some flaws in this plan. To ask State or However, further examination exposes some flaws in this plan. To ask State or Congress to purchase two million slaves at $400,000,000 is out of the question. Congress to purchase two million slaves at $400,000,000 is out of the question. This will place far too great a burden upon those taxpayers who have never owned This will place far too great a burden upon those taxpayers who have never owned to plan to own slaves. When the government begins to buy slaves, it will cause the to plan to own slaves. When the government begins to buy slaves, it will cause the price of slaves to go up considerably. This will cause slave owners to encourage price of slaves to go up considerably. This will cause slave owners to encourage their slaves to marry and produce more children, thus compounding the problem.their slaves to marry and produce more children, thus compounding the problem.

I ask those who say colonize the slaves: Where? Liberia now has a population of I ask those who say colonize the slaves: Where? Liberia now has a population of 2,500. At the most, Liberia could handle 500 new residents a year. If only 500 2,500. At the most, Liberia could handle 500 new residents a year. If only 500 slaves were freed and located annually, in a 25-year period 41,000 more slaves slaves were freed and located annually, in a 25-year period 41,000 more slaves would be born than relocated.would be born than relocated.


Thornton RuffinThornton Ruffin

I am opposed to emancipation of the slaves until some way can be found I am opposed to emancipation of the slaves until some way can be found to sustain the trade and commerce generated by the cultivation of cotton to sustain the trade and commerce generated by the cultivation of cotton and tobacco. Two-thirds of the cotton produced in this country is exported. and tobacco. Two-thirds of the cotton produced in this country is exported. This greatly helps our balance of trade with Europe. Only one-forty-sixth This greatly helps our balance of trade with Europe. Only one-forty-sixth of the remaining agricultural production is exported. At the present time, of the remaining agricultural production is exported. At the present time, one-sixth of the blacks in the country are free. They shun the cottonfields. one-sixth of the blacks in the country are free. They shun the cottonfields. I will favor emancipation of slaves only when we can assure that blacks will I will favor emancipation of slaves only when we can assure that blacks will remain in the cotton and tobacco labor market. If this cannot be assured, remain in the cotton and tobacco labor market. If this cannot be assured, to give the slaves their freedom would ruin the economy of the South and to give the slaves their freedom would ruin the economy of the South and seriously injure the economy of the North and England.seriously injure the economy of the North and England.

Southern FearsSouthern Fears

• Nat TurnerNat Turner

• William Lloyd Garrison’s William Lloyd Garrison’s The LiberatorThe Liberator

• Nullification Crisis 1832Nullification Crisis 1832

Southern Pro-SlaverySouthern Pro-SlaveryPropagandaPropaganda

Southern Pro-SlaverySouthern Pro-SlaveryPropagandaPropaganda

Southern Defense of SlaverySouthern Defense of Slavery

• Supported by authority of the BibleSupported by authority of the Bible• ““happy lot of servants” vs. factory life of happy lot of servants” vs. factory life of

immigrant workersimmigrant workers• Post war - Freedom was bigger burden for Post war - Freedom was bigger burden for

African Americans?- no health care, no African Americans?- no health care, no literacy, no knowledge of law, no knowledge literacy, no knowledge of law, no knowledge of contract law (sharecropping) of contract law (sharecropping)

CongressCongress

• 1836 Gag Resolution (all anti-slavery 1836 Gag Resolution (all anti-slavery appeals from citizens would be tabled appeals from citizens would be tabled without debate)without debate)

• 1835 Postal system can not deliver 1835 Postal system can not deliver abolitionist literatureabolitionist literature

Abolition in the NorthAbolition in the North1.1. Extreme abolitionists (Garrison) unpopular in the Extreme abolitionists (Garrison) unpopular in the

NorthNorth• - popularity of men like Daniel Webster stressing the Union- popularity of men like Daniel Webster stressing the Union• - Constitution is sacred and the clauses on slavery are lasting clauses- Constitution is sacred and the clauses on slavery are lasting clauses

2.2. North had heavy economic stake in the SouthNorth had heavy economic stake in the South3.3. Mobocracy due to abolitionismMobocracy due to abolitionism

– Lewis Tappan’s New York houseLewis Tappan’s New York house– Garrison and the Broadcloth mobGarrison and the Broadcloth mob– Elijah P. LovejoyElijah P. Lovejoy– Even Lincoln avoided extreme abolitionismEven Lincoln avoided extreme abolitionism

- growing number of Northerners didn’t want to abolish - growing number of Northerners didn’t want to abolish slavery in the South but increasingly wanted to stop slavery in the South but increasingly wanted to stop its spread to Western territoriesits spread to Western territories

the south and the slavery controversy chapter 16 apush

Documents