chapter 16 - south + slavery controversy

What invention in 1793 revolutionized the Southern economy?

Eli Whitney's cotton gin

What was the primary crop that drove the Southern economy?

Cotton

What term describes the Southern elite who owned large numbers of slaves?

Cottonocracy

How many families owned 100 or more slaves in 1850?

1,733 families

What was the impact of cotton on American exports in 1845?

Cotton made up 1/2 of all American exports.

What percentage of the world's cotton was grown in the American South by 1861?

2/3 of the world's cotton

What was the South's belief regarding Britain's support in a potential war over slavery?

They believed Britain would have to aid them due to their reliance on Southern cotton.

What was the educational situation in the antebellum South?

Education was lacking as the elite hired private tutors and did not establish public schools.

Who was a popular author among Southerners for his depiction of medieval society?

Sir Walter Scott

What role did Southern women play in plantation households?

They managed the household and gave daily orders to staff.

What economic issue arose from the reliance on cotton in the South?

High debts due to over-speculation in land and slaves.

What was the social ranking system in Southern society?

Elite large slave-owners, small farmers with slaves, whites without slaves.

What was the irony regarding non-slave owning whites in the South?

They resented wealthy slave owners but aspired to become wealthy slave owners themselves.

What were some derogatory terms used for poor whites in the South?

Poor white trash, hillbillies, crackers.

What was the status of mountain whites in relation to slavery?

They generally did not support slavery and were often very poor.

How many free blacks were there in the South by 1860?

250,000 free blacks

What were some ways that slaves could gain their freedom?

Emancipation, being freed by owners, or purchasing their freedom.

What was the societal perception of free blacks in the South?

They were seen as second or third-class citizens with limited rights.

What was the relationship between Northern and Southern attitudes towards blacks?

Both regions had anti-black sentiments, with the North often being more hostile towards free blacks.

Who was Frederick Douglass?

A leading spokesperson for blacks and against slavery.

What was the bottom rung of the Southern social ladder?

Slaves

What was the status of slaves in the Southern social hierarchy?

Slaves were at the bottom of the social ladder, yet slavery was foundational to Southern economics and society.

How many slaves were in America by 1860?

There were 4 million slaves in America by 1860.

What was the significance of the year 1808 regarding slavery?

Slave importation was banned in 1808, but smuggling continued and penalties were infrequent.

What was the 'Cotton Belt'?

The 'Cotton Belt' was an area from Virginia to Texas, with the heart in South Carolina to Louisiana, where slavery thrived.

What does the phrase 'sold down the river' refer to?

It refers to the practice of selling slaves from the upper South to the Deep South, often leading to harsher conditions.

Which novel highlighted the theme of being 'sold down the river'?

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

What were common punishments for slaves?

Whippings were common as a disincentive for disobedience, but excessive punishment could hurt a slave's resale value.

What was the impact of the Deep South on the black population?

The Deep South accounted for about 75% of the black population and had a tougher life for slaves, but families tended to be more stable.

What was a common goal among slaves?

The ultimate goal of slaves was freedom, often expressed through religion and cultural practices.

Who led a notable slave revolt in Virginia?

Nat Turner led a revolt in Virginia.

What was the role of the Quakers in abolitionism?

The Quakers were among the first to advocate for the abolition of slavery in America.

What was the American Colonization Society's goal?

Its goal was to move blacks back to Africa, leading to the establishment of Liberia.

Who was Theodore Dwight Weld?

Weld was a leading anti-slavery spokesman inspired by the 2nd Great Awakening and wrote the pamphlet American Slavery as It Is.

What was the significance of William Lloyd Garrison's newspaper?

Garrison published The Liberator, a radical abolitionist newspaper that called for immediate emancipation.

What was the reaction of the South to abolitionist movements?

The South tightened black codes and sought to silence anti-slavery statements and literature.

What was the view of many Northerners towards extreme abolitionists?

Many Northerners found extreme abolitionists like Garrison disruptive and divisive, as they had economic ties to the South.

What was the 'free-soil' position?

The 'free-soil' position sought to prevent the spread of slavery rather than abolish it outright.

What role did religion play in slave culture?

Religion mixed tribalism and Christianity, often focusing on stories like Moses' to symbolize hope for freedom.

What was the economic argument used by Southern defenders of slavery?

They argued that slaves had it better than Northern wage slaves, as they were provided with food, clothing, and shelter.

What was the impact of Nat Turner's rebellion?

It scared whites and led to tighter security and black codes in the South.

What was the significance of the 2nd Great Awakening for abolitionism?

It fueled a surge in the abolition movement, inspiring many to fight against slavery.

Who was Sojourner Truth?

Sojourner Truth was a black abolitionist and tireless spokeswoman for both abolition and women's rights.

What was the relationship between slave owners and slaves often portrayed as?

It was often portrayed as akin to family ties, with a paternalistic view of the slave-owner relationship.

What was the fate of many abolitionists in the North?

Abolitionists faced violence and hostility, with some, like Elijah P. Lovejoy, being murdered for their beliefs.