Southern Slavery

Reduced number of slaves needed to separate

seeds from the cotton Increased the number of slaves needed to be

in the fields to keep up with the pace.

Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin (1793)

Eli Whitney

1790-1840 export of southern cotton drives

American economy British manufacturers bought as much cotton

as South could produce Up to Civil War, southern exports were roughly

$200 million/year (60% U.S. exports) Southern cotton financed northern industry Profits from cotton shipping (controlled by

Northerners) paid for northern factories

Statistics

Although slavery was becoming increasingly

unpopular, high profits were hard to overlook 1808: international slave trade banned South relies on natural increase and internal

slave trade Southern capital was tied up in cotton

production and slavery: South lagged behind in industrialization,

railroads, etc

Effects

Lack of southern industrialization was a matter

of choice. Railroads, factories considered risky Unwilling to introduce free wage labor into the

controlled society of slavery Between 1790-1860 slave population grew: 700,000 to over 4 million

King Cotton

Sheer number of slaves (1 out of 3) terrified

white southerners Gang labor with overseer with whip to ensure

swift punishment Free blacks subject to strict “black codes” White people feared influence that free blacks

might have on slaves

Slavery based on violence

Gabriel Prosser (1800) Planned to lead slaves into Richmond, Va Plan was uncovered and James Monroe (then

Va. Gov.) sent militia to put down revolt. Prosser eventually caught and hanged Denmark Vessey (1822) (Charleston, S.C) Former slave who purchased freedom Plan was uncovered and he was executed

Slave Revolts

Gabriel Prosser

August 1831 Most famous slave revolt Used religious imagery to lead slaves Killed 55 white people Turner eludes capture until October and

executed Retaliation of militias resulted in murder of

hundreds of slaves

Nat Turner

Nat Turner

Slaves not permitted to practice African

religion Great Awakening introduced Christianity to

slaves Slaves owners believed Christianity would

foster obedience Slaves found a liberating message that

strengthened community and spiritual freedom

2nd Great Awakening

Abolitionist publisher of “The Liberator” Leading anti-slavery newspaper Published in 1831

William Lloyd Garrison

William Lloyd Garrison

Daughters of prominent southern slave owner Left the south to speak out against slavery

Sarah and Angelina Grimke

Found justifications in the Bible Pointed out Greek and Roman society Recognition of slavery in the Constitution Claimed slaves were treated better than

factory workers in the north 1836: Southerners introduce “gag rule” in

Congress that prohibits anti-slavery debate

Southern Defense of Slavery