Antebellum Society 1800 1860 The South builds a

Antebellum Society 1800– 1860 The South builds a cotton economy, but also creates a class system with race as the most critical factor. The South’s economy relies on cotton, and the slave labor used to produce it. NEXT

Antebellum Society 1800– 1860 SECTION 1 Southern Culture SECTION 2 Antebellum Society in Georgia NEXT

Section 1 Southern Culture The South becomes a distinct region that is quite different from other regions of the United States by the 1850 s. NEXT

SECTION 1 Southern Culture “Cotton is King” Antebellum South Focuses on Cotton • Northern, Southern, Western U. S. develop into different regions • Georgians focus on acquiring land, farming; often with slave labor • Southern antebellum society based on cotton - antebellum means “before the war, ” describes South before Civil War • Late 1700 s, cotton is Georgia’s most important crop • English textile mills create huge demand Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued “Cotton is King” The Cotton Gin • Most Georgia farmers grow short-staple cotton— seeds hard to remove • Eli Whitney designs cotton gin in 1793 - cotton gin—machine that removes seeds from cotton - allows each worker to clean 50 times more cotton per day • More planters begin growing cotton as a result of cotton gin Image NEXT

SECTION 1 The Cotton Boom Cotton Gin Brings Changes • • Cotton boom allows South to focus on agriculture North focuses on industry Cotton easy to sell, commands high prices Planters begin to grow more cotton than any other crops • Government takes natives off land so cotton farming can move inland • South becomes dependent on cotton Map Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued The Cotton Boom Slavery Expands • Cotton requires large workforce; slavery increases in South • Cotton profits in South increase tenfold, 1820– 1830 s • As profits rise, slave prices jump: - male field hand is $300 in 1790 s; rises to $1, 000 by late 1830 s • Slave importation illegal after 1808 - continue to trade slaves already living in U. S. NEXT

SECTION 1 Difficulties with Farming Innovations Too Expensive • Many Georgia farmers cannot afford to invest in farming inventions - primary farm tool is hoe; thins plants, cuts weeds - one-mule cottonseed planter is often only equipment upgrade Soil Exhaustion • Farmers plant same crops each year; takes vital nutrients from soil • “Exhausted” soil no longer supports crops; plantations shift west • Some rich farmers use guano, bird droppings, as fertilizer by 1850 s Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued Difficulties with Farming Crop Failures • Georgians too reliant on cotton; use profits for more land, slaves • Most pay cash to expand instead of borrowing, so no credit records - cannot prove they can repay a loan; if crops fail, many farms fail • Central Bank of Georgia established 1828 to loan money to farmers NEXT

SECTION 1 Industry in Georgia Industry is Limited • Little industry in Georgia; some textile (cotton) mills; iron - these industries later vital to Civil War effort • Timber still an important industry; mills in most counties Barriers to Industry • Wealthy reinvest money in cotton instead of developing industries • Planter class—no need to change industry while cotton is profitable NEXT

SECTION 1 Transportation in Georgia River Travel • Rivers are main transportation method until mid 1800 s - boats, rafts take goods west to fall line; goods carried inland • Samuel Howard launches Georgia’s first steamboat, Enterprise, 1816 • In 1819, Savannah makes first transatlantic steamboat trip - launched by group of Savannah businessmen Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued Transportation in Georgia Railroads • Railroads needed to send Midwestern goods to Southern coast • In 1837, Construction of Western and Atlantic (W&A) Railroad begins - first W&A stake driven seven miles east of Chattahoochee River - staked spot called Terminus—beginning of modern-day Atlanta • All but two major southern railroads pass through Atlanta by 1860 NEXT

SECTION 1 Education in Georgia’s Public School Systems • Public education movement national by mid-1800 s • Georgia’s public school system still weak, develops later • Georgia creates poor school system to educate needy children in 1817 • Many Georgians embarrassed to send children to poor schools • If able, families pay to send children to field schools instead • Education neglected— 20% of Georgia’s white adults literate by 1850 Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 1 continued Education in Georgia Higher Education • Franklin College chartered 1785, Georgia’s first public university - now University of Georgia at Athens, first state university in U. S. • Medical College of Georgia opens in Augusta, 1828 - medical training rare in America, but medicine improving • Georgia Female College (later Wesleyan Female College) opens 1839 - first women’s college in U. S. , located in Macon, Methodist affiliation NEXT

SECTION 1 Religion The Great Revival • Great Revival religious movement sweeps antebellum South and nation • Church membership across U. S. higher than ever before • Thousands attend camp meetings, hear fiery Protestant sermons • Views on slavery divide Baptists, Methodists of the North and South Image Slaves and Religion • Most slaves forced into Christianity; owners believe it aids control • Slaves identify with Bible story—children of Israel led to freedom NEXT

SECTION 1 Reform in Georgia Call for Reform • Improvements in citizens’ welfare called for across America • Georgia improves criminal treatment and facilities in 1816 • More humane facility for mentally ill built in Milledgeville, 1842 • School opens for deaf in Cave Springs, 1847 • State opens Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon, 1852 NEXT

SECTION 1 Georgia’s Cities Georgia Still Mostly Rural • Savannah is Georgia’s largest city in 1860, 22, 000 people • Augusta— 12, 500; Columbus, Macon, Atlanta— under 10, 000 each • Most Georgians live in rural areas, small towns NEXT

Section 2 Antebellum Society in Georgia Antebellum Georgia develops distinct social classes based largely on race and partly on economic opportunity. NEXT

SECTION 2 Antebellum Society in Georgia The Old South Social Classes and Slavery • Georgia, South divided into social classes; race the critical factor • Whites of all classes see themselves as higher in status than blacks - even free, wealthy African Americans considered lower than whites • Only about 25% of Southern whites own slaves - slave ownership sign of wealth, political power NEXT

SECTION 2 Planters A Wealthy Minority • Planters—wealthy elite, own 20 or more slaves on plantations • Plantations—large farms extending hundreds of acres • 1860, under 3, 000 of Georgia’s 600, 000 whites considered planters • Planters live comfortably, but homes more modest than often depicted • Wealthiest planters build “big house” mansions; lavish furnishings Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 2 continued Planters Small Communities • Plantations small communities often equipped to support residents • Plantation owners usually hire overseer to head farming operation • Owners live in towns to enjoy social lives, better education • Coastal owners come to cities to avoid diseasecarrying insects • Planters often well-educated, involved in society, community leaders NEXT

SECTION 2 Yeoman Farmers The Majority of White Georgians • Most Georgia whites yeoman farmers—own and farm a few acres of land • Some slave owners, some rent farms from larger landowners • Georgia’s small farmers live in rural settlements Poor Whites • Poor whites own no land, hire selves out to land, business owners • Live at subsistence level; many move to towns, work in mills by 1860 NEXT

SECTION 2 Free African Americans Freedom Not Guaranteed • About 3, 500 free African Americans in Georgia, 1850 • Slaveholders free slaves or slaves purchase their own freedom • Live mainly in towns where they can find work • Many free slaves still must register; some kidnapped and enslaved NEXT

SECTION 2 Enslaved Africans Different Roles on a Plantation • Field hands tend crops on plantation; driver maintains discipline • Gang labor used on cotton plantations—slaves work together all day • Others use task labor—assign specific jobs to individuals • Some skilled slaves become carpenters, blacksmiths - some allowed to keep portion of earnings • House slaves cook, clean, tend homes, care for children Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 2 continued Enslaved Africans Life Under Slavery • Slaves live in slave quarters; some in servants’ quarters in homes • Many slaves allowed plots to grow food; some can sell surplus food • Illegal to teach slaves literacy, but some taught; pass on knowledge • Slaves can’t legally marry; many owners recognize informal marriage • Owner may sell a slave anytime; children of slaves are also slaves • Slave families often broken up throughout South Image Continued. . . NEXT

SECTION 2 continued Enslaved Africans Resistance • Slaves develop means of protest; most common to work slowly • Some escape to North; severe punishment to deter others if caught • Many white Georgians fear slave revolts; pass strict slave codes NEXT

This is the end of the chapter presentation of lecture notes. Click the HOME or EXIT button.

Print Slide Show 1. On the File menu, select Print 2. In the pop-up menu, select Microsoft Power. Point If the dialog box does not include this pop-up, continue to step 4 3. In the Print what box, choose the presentation format you want to print: slides, notes, handouts, or outline 4. Click the Print button to print the Power. Point presentation Print Text Version 1. Click the Print Text button below; a text file will open in Adobe Acrobat 2. On the File menu, select Print 3. Click the Print button to print the entire document, or select the pages you want to print Print Text BACK