BY: REBECCA LEUNG Life of Antebellum Southern Planters

BY: REBECCA LEUNG

Life of Antebellum Southern Planters

Economy of the South

Exported cash crops such as cotton

The South depended on slavery to raise the cotton

“Cotton is King”Cotton provided ¾ of the world’s

supply by 1840sPlanters depended on the North

for shippingPanic of 1837, which dropped

cotton prices, prompted Southerners to establish closer ties with the Europeans

The Average Southern Planter

Lived in farmhouses Actually, most planters were not aristocrats. Most were from

humble origins Statistics: 50% had fewer than 5 slaves, 72% had fewer than 10,

and 88% had fewer than 20 Most planters used the money they earned to expand their farms Enjoyed activities such as hunting; took great value in their

sporting animals

Social Life of a Planter

Wealthier planters used money to host balls and parties

During these get-togethers people would have chances for friendship, courtship, and display

Women looked forward to these parties the most to break the monotony of their domestic lives