HIST 11/11

Yeoman Farmers vs. Poor Whites
- Yeoman farmers represent a category of small landowners in the South, whereas poor whites were the economically marginalized group.
- Poor whites were often relegated to undesirable lands, typically residing in mountainous regions like the Appalachian Mountains, sometimes labeled as "hillbillies."
Living Conditions and Economic Status
- Poor whites were mostly day laborers and squatters, frequently working for wealthier landowners.
- Approximately 40% of Southern whites lived in destitution and did not own land or enslaved people, working instead as tenants or hired help.
- If they managed to own land, it was often of poor quality located at the outskirts of more valuable properties.
- In scenarios of dispossession, they sought refuge in the wilderness, including woods, mountains, or swamps, demonstrating the lack of social safety nets for them.
Stereotyping and Society
- Like African Americans, poor whites faced negative stereotyping in Southern society.

Increase in Enslaved Population
- The number of enslaved individuals in the South surged from approximately 2 million in 1830 to around 4 million by 1860.
- These figures set the stage for understanding social dynamics, particularly before the Civil War.
Slave Codes
- Slave codes were longstanding laws regulating enslaved people's lives, evolving continuously, especially in response to revolts like Nat Turner’s rebellion.

Background of Nat Turner
- Nat Turner, an enslaved man in Virginia, believed he was divinely instructed to lead a rebellion against slavery.
- His rebellion unfolded secretly among fellow enslaved individuals; he was seen as trustworthy by plantation authorities, which allowed him certain privileges.
The Rebellion's Beginning
- The rebellion commenced with the murder of Turner's plantation owner, followed by a spree of violence against other white families, resulting in the death of around 60 white individuals, including many children.
Militia Response and Aftermath
- The Virginia state militia quelled the uprising with superior numbers and artillery, leading to a violent crackdown on captured enslaved individuals, increasing fear and paranoia among white communities.
- Following the rebellion, serious conversations arose among Southern legislators regarding the future of slavery, although pro-slavery sentiment prevailed.

Community of Free Blacks
- A notable community of free African Americans existed in the South, some gaining freedom through purchase or manumission.
- By 1860, around 250,000 free blacks were documented in Southern slave states, facing societal suspicion and legal barriers regarding their status.
- Southern laws often mandated that free blacks require white sponsors to access legal systems.
Economic Contribution and Trade
- Many free blacks worked as tradespeople in various occupations, including tailor, shoemaker, or barber, despite societal restrictions.
- The existence of mixed-race individuals, known as mulattoes or mixed people, highlighted a complex racial hierarchy, with varying degrees of freedom and privilege.

Christianity in Enslaved Life
- Enslaved people developed a complex relationship with Christianity, sought by slaveholders to instill obedience and control.
- Despite initial barriers, many slaves adopted Christian beliefs, finding inspiration in biblical narratives, particularly those advocating for freedom and justice.
Cultural Synthesis
- A unique expression of worship emerged, combining African traditions with Christianity, leading to spirituals and songs that communicated shared experiences and resilience.
Slave Marriages and Family Structure
- Although lacking legal recognition, informal unions between enslaved individuals were common, viewed by slaveholders as stabilizing forces on plantations.

Origins and Historical Context
- The Second Great Awakening emerged as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism, emphasizing emotion and individualism against industrialization and urban challenges.
Growth of Protestant Denominations
- Membership in Protestant churches exploded in the early 19th century, with notable growth among Methodists, indicating a shift toward more personalized and emotional worship experiences.
- Out of the movement, the Methodists and Baptists promoted egalitarian beliefs, challenging prevailing racial and gender norms while stressing personal spirituality over organized religion.

Definition and Characteristics
- Romanticism prioritized imagination, emotion, and the beauty of nature, contrasting sharply with the dispassionate rationalism of the Enlightenment.
Cultural Impact and Movements
- Transcendentalism, as the foremost expression of this movement in the U.S., emphasized self-reliance and spiritual insight independent of traditional organized religion.
- Centers of this ideology flourished in New England, influencing a generation of writers, philosophers, and activists who sought to reshape American culture emphasizing individual spirituality.