reduced number of slaves needed to separate seeds from the cotton increased the number of slaves...
TRANSCRIPT
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