the cotton economy
DESCRIPTION
An overview of the economy in the antebellum SouthTRANSCRIPT
The Cotton Economyp. 299-307
Rise of King CottonTobacco: the first choice in the South!
Problems:Prices subject to frequent depressions
One went from 1820’s-1850’sWore out the SoilThus, farmers in VA, MD, NC switched to other
cropsWheat
Rise of King CottonRice:
Mainly in SC, GA, FLMore stable, more lucrativeDemanded high amounts of irrigation9-month growing season!Competition w/ Caribbean sugarRestricted to a very small geographic area
Rise of King CottonSugar:
Along the gulf coast (LA and TX)
Quite profitableRequired intensive laborAlso a long growing season
Rise of King CottonFailures or limitations of the other crops led to
COTTON!Hardy, could grow successfully in variety of
climatesVariety of soilsCotton gin made processing cotton much easierDemand grew very quickly
1st English textile mills2nd New England’s textile mills
Rise of King CottonProduction spread into SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, TX,
AR
Prices were up and down, but overall profitable
By Civil War, cotton was 2/3 of the total export trade of the entire US!$200 million/year; “cotton is king”
Shift in Slave PopulationDramatic increase in number of slaves in South
As cotton production moved west, slavery went with it
Also, a migration of slaves from Upper South to Deep South
See maps on p. 301
Southern Trade and Industry
Manufacturing developed very slowly in south
Total value of textile production in South was only 2% of value of cotton exports! Easy to see why South stayed with cotton!
Merchants found buyers for cotton, brokers or factors
Rudimentary banking system
What do we know about the inadequate transportation system? Volunteers to discuss?
“Economic subordination” of the South to the North???
The South’s “Colonial Dependency”
Why didn’t the South develop a larger industrial/commercial economy?
Why did it remain so different from the North?
The South’s “Colonial Dependency”
Large profits from agriculture
Capital invested in land & slaves
Increased dependency on slavery
Climate not suitable for industry???
Some claimed Southerners lacked a strong work ethic
What do you think?
A distinct way of life; the Southern way; elegance, chivalry; time moved slower
Disdain for Yankees, rapid growth
Scarlett from Gone with the Wind, 1939
White Society in the SouthOnly a small minority in South owned slaves
Only about 6% in 1850The number changes somewhat when you
consider that each family had 5 members in it, so the number was actually about 25% of homeowners had slaves
Those who did own slaves typically had only a few
Yeoman farmers are the majority in the antebellum South
Time to ShareI will draw a name out, and you will have to
share on the following information:Planter Aristocracy & the Cavalier MythPlantation ManagementAristocratic Values—Honor & ChivalrySubordinate Status of Women/The Southern Lady
Brooks & Sumner in Congress
Time to ShareMore sharing!
Other burdensLimited educational opportunitiesHill peopleClose relations with the plantation aristocracyCommitment to paternalismLimited class conflict