SLAVERY

1
SLAVERY THE SOUTHWhat set antebellum southern
society apart from the rest of the nation?
LESSON 17A The South and the Slavery Controversy
(1793-1860)
2
How would one describe the society dominated by
King Cotton?

• COTTON KINGDOM How the South became an economic
  force
• 1600-1750 Slavery increased as indentured
  servitude declined
• Southern philosophy behind perpetuating slavery
• Ordained by God ? biblical basis
• Racial inferiority
• Increased cost of indentured servant

3
How would one describe the society dominated by
King Cotton?

• Better long-term investment ? best value from
  natural population growth
• Legal codes reflected harsher control methods for
  slaves
• Economic profits far outweighed moral question
• Better life for blacks in US than in Africa

4
Was southern society dominated by slavery?
5
Was southern society dominated by slavery?
6
How did the institution of slavery define social
status?

• Social impact of slavery
• Development of planter aristocracy
• Increased gap between rich and poor
• Increasingly monopolistic as cotton stripped soil
• Resentful of northerners ? dependent for finished
  goods and other food
• White majority ? poor white trash (underclass)
• Sneered at rich
• Suffered from diseases of poor

7
How did the institution of slavery define social
status?

• African underclass a majority treated as a
  minority
• Small percentage who were free not given same
  rights as free whites
• Majority of population in Deep South ? half of
  all slaves in South
• Life meant hard work and little civil liberties

8
How did the institution of slavery define social
status?

• Family life diverse in South
• Separation more common in Upper South, smaller
  plantations
• Most raised in stable households
• Religion mix of African and Christian belief ?
  songs emphasized trials of bondage

9
How were slaves permanently affected by their lot?

• Burdens of bondage
• The price paid through bondage
• Preservation of inferiority
• Denial of education
• Culture of rebellion developed

10
Would these negative effects inspire revolt?

• Seeds of insurrection planted throughout U.S.
  history
• STONO REBELLION (1739) Attempted slave migration
  to Florida led to harsher treatment
• PROSSER VESEY Planned slave revolts that never
  materialized led to military responses
• NAT TURNER (1831)
• Most significant
• Killing spree led to death of 60 Virginians
• Produced wave of fear leading to harsher slave
  laws