THE CHANGING SOUTH (CHAPTER 9: PART 2)

THE CHANGING SOUTH

INTRODUCTION

Review the map on page 163. The most universally recognized culture

region within North America, yet displays tremendous diversity

The country music example “Nashville type” “Bluegrass Basin style” “Old-Timey” “Memphis Blues”

LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CIVIL WAR

Persistent Poverty Racial Segregation Sectionalism

Led to the formation of the “solid south” Enhanced by the following…

Four years of war fought on southern soil Loss of the war Repressive aspects of reconstruction Occupation by a conquering army

LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CIVIL WAR

Out-migration was slow to initiate during the first 50 years after the Civil War because of… 1) a lack of information 2) initial improvements in local

opportunities 3) skill and education limitations 4) poverty 5) simple inertia

LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CIVIL WAR

Migration patterns during the post WWI era Push Factors

Jim Crow Laws Violence Subsistence economic conditions

Pull Factors Jobs in industry Opportunity for a better life Positive info/feedback from family & friends

Mass exodus had a negative impact on the Southern economy (most migrants were 18-35 years old)

The national dropout rate for adults 25 and over was 25 percent in 1990.

High school dropout rates, 1990

Unemployment rate, 1995

The national unemploymentrate was 5.5 percent in 1995

ECONOMIC REORGANIZATION

1870 to Mid-1930s Characteristics

agrarian produced raw agricultural materials for export capital deficient relied on extensive use of hand labor and draft

animals featured sharecropping and the crop-lien system

Sharecropping a form of agricultural tenancy tenant pays for use of the land with a

predetermined share of his crop rather than with a cash rent

ECONOMIC REORGANIZATION(continued)

1870 to Mid-1930s (continued) Crop-Lien System

A farm-financing scheme Money is loaned at the beginning of a

growing season to pay for farming operations Subsequent harvest used as collateral for the

loan Urban Structure

Characterized by many small market centers, railroad towns, textile mill towns, and county seats

ECONOMIC REORGANIZATION (continued)

1950 - Present By 1950, half of the labor force was engaged in urban-

based nonagricultural employment. Sharp increases in the manufacturing & service sectors Agriculture is more diversified

Soybeans are the most valuable cash crop. Poultry farming is centered on the South,

which accounts for 75% of all commercial broilers.

Mechanization is increasing & sharecropping is greatly declining.

Rural to urban migration continues to increase.

THE SOUTH TODAY “New South”

Refers to the breaking down of the isolation and the modification of the distinctive southern culture

Usually refers to the south since World War II.

Trends 2/3's of the region's people live in major

metropolitan centers In 1940- 35 cities had populations > 50,000. In 1950- 42 cities had populations > 50,000. In 1996- 110 cities had populations > 50,000.

CHANGES INREGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

OFUS BLACK POPULATION

THE SOUTH TODAY(continued)

Low costs of living and cheap labor have attracted many industries.

Recent indications=>low-wage labor is almost exhausted and wages are starting to climb.

There has been a significant infusion of Northern migrants who have brought their "cultural baggage" with them.

Isolation, sectionalism and racism, all appear to be declining.

Then again……some things don’t seem to change.

THE CHANGING SOUTH (CHAPTER 9: PART 2)