Chapter 3.1Southern Colonies

YEEE-HAAW!!!

Southern Economy The southern economy became

based on commercial agriculture (farming).

The Rise of Plantations Tobacco became the South’s first

cash crop. South Carolina’s main cash crops

were rice and indigo. Plantations developed because these

crops need specific climates and intensive labor.

Tobacco English demand for Tobacco caused

Tobacco prices to skyrocket in the Americas.

At this time farmers located their farms or plantations near rivers to transport their Tobacco goods cheaply.

Few roads were built in the region.

X

We Want You The Southern Colonies had plenty

of land, but not enough workers. England didn’t have enough land,

but too many possible workers. These unemployed Englishmen

became indentured servants. Indentured Servants- Sold labor for

cost of trip to America, food, clothing, and shelter. Contract would last 1-2 years, 4 years, or even up to 7 years. EEK!

50% of all Indentured Servants died in 1600s

South Carolina’s Cash Crops

South Carolina imported rice from Jamaica and Barbados along with enslaved Africans who knew how to cultivate it.

Indigo became successful when 17 year old Eliza Lucas found out it was best suitable for sandy high grounds, not swampy lowlands where rice grows best.

“Big Guys” Plantation owners could afford more

indentured servants, slaves, and land-so they expanded their land and wealth.

Gentry-Planter Elite had influence and controlled everything.

They no longer worked alongside their workers/slaves, and tried to be as English as they could.

Big Guys V Little Guys

Plantation Homes

Alabama Plantation Homes

Little Guys Most farmers weren’t

plantation farmers, but farmers with small plots of land.

Subsistence Farming- farming to feed the family

They were self-sufficient.

William Berkeley William Berkeley-

Governor of Virginia. His corrupt policies

1) Controlled and appointed Councilors

2) Stacked House of Burgesses with his supporters

3) Exempted himself and Councilors from taxation

4) Restricted voting to property owners

Nathaniel Bacon’s Beef Bacon’s plantation on the

frontier was attacked by Native Americans.

Berkeley did not want further military action against the Native Americans (Susquehannock) – and instead just built more forts.

Bacon, a Councilor, took on the cause of the small plot farmers who wanted Native American land.

Bacon Takes Action Bacon raised a militia and attacked the

Native Americans. The House of Burgesses is reelected (on

Berkeley’s command), and they allow Bacon to raise 1,000 troops, allow all free men to vote, and took away tax exemptions.

Bacon was still angry with Berkeley, and took over Jamestown with hundreds of his armed supporters. He accused Berkeley of corruption, and Berkeley fled and formed his own army.

Who Wins and Why?Place Your Bets Ladies

and Gentleman!

vs

Corrupt JerkAnd Politician

Vengeful Defender of Little Guys

Who Wins Bacon’s Rebellion?

The battle lasted months from July 1676 through October 1676.

Bacon was hiding in a swamp, and he died from being sick.

His army became ineffectual without his leadership.

Berkeley wins. x

Significance of Bacon’s Rebellion

Wealthy Planters – “big guys” realize they need to allow the “little guys” to expand their farms into Native American territory to keep the peace.

Slavery increases in Virginia

X

Why More Slaves? Indentured Servants had

to be freed and given land, slaves did not.

Pennsylvania had cheap land, so no need to be an Indentured Servant.

England’s King Charles II became involved in the slave trade – so easier to get slaves.

The Middle Passage 10-12 million of slaves were traded to the

Americas by 1870, and 2 million of them died on the Middle Passage.

Middle Passage - From the West Coast of Africa (to Europe) to the Americas

Olaudah Equiano wrote his memoirs on the Middle Passage and slavery when he became free.

Slaves were treated like indentured servants, their children were not always enslaved, and many became Christians

Middle Passage

Middle Passage of Olaudah Equiano

Slavery in 1840 vs African American Population in

20002000 African American

Population

Slave Code After the 1660s, slaves went from being

treated like indentured servants to being treated as slaves.

Slavery became hereditary. Africans were denied rights that the Colonial

settlers had. Slave Code- Slaves were regulated in what

they could and could not do. Slaves couldn’t own property or testify against whites in courts in the beginning. The slave’s position in society was also defined.