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The South’s economy relies on cotton, and the slave labor used to produce it.

Antebellum Society1800–1860 The South builds a cotton economy, but also creates a class system with race as the most critical factor.

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Antebellum Society1800–1860

SECTION 1

SECTION 2

Southern Culture

Antebellum Society in Georgia

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Section 1

Southern Culture The South becomes a distinct region that is quite different from other regions of the United States by the 1850s.

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“Cotton is King”

Southern Culture

Antebellum South Focuses on Cotton• Northern, Southern, Western U.S. develop into

different regions• Georgians focus on acquiring land, farming; often

with slave labor• Southern antebellum society based on cotton

- antebellum means “before the war,” describes South before Civil War

• Late 1700s, cotton is Georgia’s most important crop

• English textile mills create huge demand

SECTION

1

Continued . . .

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SECTION

1

The Cotton Gin• Most Georgia farmers grow short-staple cotton—

seeds hard to remove• Eli Whitney designs cotton gin in 1793

- cotton gin—machine that removes seeds from cotton

- allows each worker to clean 50 times more cotton per day

• More planters begin growing cotton as a result of cotton gin

continued “Cotton is King”

Image

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SECTION

1

Cotton Gin Brings Changes• Cotton boom allows South to focus on agriculture• North focuses on industry• Cotton easy to sell, commands high prices• Planters begin to grow more cotton than any other

crops• Government takes natives off land so cotton farming

can move inland• South becomes dependent on cotton

The Cotton Boom

Map

Continued . . .

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SECTION

1

Slavery Expands• Cotton requires large workforce; slavery

increases in South• Cotton profits in South increase tenfold, 1820–

1830s• As profits rise, slave prices jump:

- male field hand is $300 in 1790s; rises to $1,000 by late 1830s

• Slave importation illegal after 1808 - continue to trade slaves already living in U.S.

continued The Cotton Boom

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SECTION

1

Innovations Too Expensive• Many Georgia farmers cannot afford to invest in

farming inventions- primary farm tool is hoe; thins plants, cuts weeds- one-mule cottonseed planter is often only

equipment upgrade

Difficulties with Farming

Continued . . .

Soil Exhaustion• Farmers plant same crops each year; takes vital

nutrients from soil• “Exhausted” soil no longer supports crops;

plantations shift west• Some rich farmers use guano, bird droppings, as

fertilizer by 1850s

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SECTION

1

Crop Failures• Georgians too reliant on cotton; use profits for

more land, slaves• Most pay cash to expand instead of borrowing, so

no credit records- cannot prove they can repay a loan; if crops

fail, many farms fail• Central Bank of Georgia established 1828 to loan

money to farmers

continued Difficulties with Farming

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SECTION

1

Industry is Limited• Little industry in Georgia; some textile (cotton) mills;

iron- these industries later vital to Civil War effort

• Timber still an important industry; mills in most counties

Industry in Georgia

Barriers to Industry• Wealthy reinvest money in cotton instead of

developing industries• Planter class—no need to change industry while

cotton is profitable

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SECTION

1

River Travel• Rivers are main transportation method until mid-

1800s- boats, rafts take goods west to fall line; goods

carried inland• Samuel Howard launches Georgia’s first

steamboat, Enterprise, 1816• In 1819, Savannah makes first transatlantic

steamboat trip- launched by group of Savannah businessmen

Transportation in Georgia

Continued . . .

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SECTION

1

Railroads• Railroads needed to send Midwestern goods to

Southern coast• In 1837, Construction of Western and Atlantic

(W&A) Railroad begins - first W&A stake driven seven miles east of

Chattahoochee River- staked spot called Terminus—beginning of

modern-day Atlanta• All but two major southern railroads pass through

Atlanta by 1860

continued Transportation in Georgia

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SECTION

1

Georgia’s Public School Systems • Public education movement national by mid-1800s • Georgia’s public school system still weak, develops

later • Georgia creates poor school system to educate

needy children in 1817• Many Georgians embarrassed to send children to

poor schools• If able, families pay to send children to field schools

instead• Education neglected—20% of Georgia’s white

adults literate by 1850

Education in Georgia

Continued . . .

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SECTION

1

Higher Education• Franklin College chartered 1785, Georgia’s first

public university- now University of Georgia at Athens, first state

university in U.S.• Medical College of Georgia opens in Augusta,

1828 - medical training rare in America, but medicine

improving• Georgia Female College (later Wesleyan Female

College) opens 1839- first women’s college in U.S., located in Macon,

Methodist affiliation

continued Education in Georgia

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SECTION

1

The Great Revival• Great Revival religious movement sweeps

antebellum South and nation• Church membership across U.S. higher than ever

before• Thousands attend camp meetings, hear fiery

Protestant sermons• Views on slavery divide Baptists, Methodists of

the North and South

Religion

Slaves and Religion• Most slaves forced into Christianity; owners believe

it aids control• Slaves identify with Bible story—children of Israel

led to freedom

Image

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SECTION

1

Call for Reform• Improvements in citizens’ welfare called for

across America• Georgia improves criminal treatment and facilities

in 1816• More humane facility for mentally ill built in

Milledgeville, 1842• School opens for deaf in Cave Springs, 1847• State opens Georgia Academy for the Blind in

Macon, 1852

Reform in Georgia

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SECTION

1

Georgia Still Mostly Rural• Savannah is Georgia’s largest city in 1860,

22,000 people• Augusta—12,500; Columbus, Macon, Atlanta—

under 10,000 each• Most Georgians live in rural areas, small towns

Georgia’s Cities

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Antebellum Georgia develops distinct social classes based largely on race and partly on economic opportunity.

Section 2Antebellum Society in Georgia

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The Old South

Antebellum Society in Georgia

Social Classes and Slavery• Georgia, South divided into social classes; race

the critical factor • Whites of all classes see themselves as higher in

status than blacks- even free, wealthy African Americans

considered lower than whites• Only about 25% of Southern whites own slaves

- slave ownership sign of wealth, political power

SECTION

2

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Planters A Wealthy Minority• Planters—wealthy elite, own 20 or more slaves

on plantations• Plantations—large farms extending hundreds of

acres • 1860, under 3,000 of Georgia’s 600,000 whites

considered planters• Planters live comfortably, but homes more

modest than often depicted• Wealthiest planters build “big house” mansions;

lavish furnishings

SECTION

2

Continued . . .

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Small Communities• Plantations small communities often equipped to

support residents• Plantation owners usually hire overseer to head

farming operation• Owners live in towns to enjoy social lives, better

education• Coastal owners come to cities to avoid disease-

carrying insects• Planters often well-educated, involved in society,

community leaders

SECTION

2

continued Planters

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Yeoman Farmers The Majority of White Georgians• Most Georgia whites yeoman farmers—own and

farm a few acres of land• Some slave owners, some rent farms from larger

landowners• Georgia’s small farmers live in rural settlements

SECTION

2

Poor Whites• Poor whites own no land, hire selves out to land,

business owners• Live at subsistence level; many move to towns,

work in mills by 1860

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Free African Americans Freedom Not Guaranteed• About 3,500 free African Americans in Georgia,

1850• Slaveholders free slaves or slaves purchase their

own freedom• Live mainly in towns where they can find work• Many free slaves still must register; some

kidnapped and enslaved

SECTION

2

NEXT

Enslaved Africans Different Roles on a Plantation• Field hands tend crops on plantation; driver

maintains discipline• Gang labor used on cotton plantations—slaves

work together all day• Others use task labor—assign specific jobs to

individuals• Some skilled slaves become carpenters,

blacksmiths- some allowed to keep portion of earnings

• House slaves cook, clean, tend homes, care for children

SECTION

2

Continued . . .

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Life Under Slavery• Slaves live in slave quarters; some in servants’

quarters in homes• Many slaves allowed plots to grow food; some

can sell surplus food• Illegal to teach slaves literacy, but some taught;

pass on knowledge• Slaves can’t legally marry; many owners

recognize informal marriage• Owner may sell a slave anytime; children of

slaves are also slaves• Slave families often broken up throughout South

SECTION

2

continued Enslaved Africans

Image

Continued . . .

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Resistance• Slaves develop means of protest; most common

to work slowly• Some escape to North; severe punishment to

deter others if caught• Many white Georgians fear slave revolts; pass

strict slave codes

SECTION

2

continued Enslaved Africans

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