Overview
This lecture covers the history, economics, social structures, and cultural impact of slavery in the American South, known as "The Peculiar Institution," and its role in shaping sectionalism and society before the Civil War.
The Origins and Spread of Slavery
- Slavery defined the Southern economy and culture, earning the label "The Peculiar Institution."
- The Mason-Dixon Line became the symbolic boundary between free and slave states.
- Slavery expanded westward, reaching nearly 4 million enslaved people by the Civil War.
- The Lower (Deep) South depended more heavily on slavery and cotton compared to the Upper South.
Economics of Slavery and Cotton
- Cotton became the South’s dominant cash crop, driving demand for slave labor.
- By 1860, the value of slaves exceeded the combined value of all US factories, railroads, and banks.
- Southern cotton was vital to British and European textile industries.
- The international slave trade was banned in 1808, but internal slave trading grew rapidly.
Structure of Southern Society
- Most Southern whites did not own slaves, but slavery shaped all aspects of Southern society.
- Wealthy plantation owners held the most economic and political power.
- Poor whites were often landless and stigmatized, but generally supported slavery for racial and social reasons.
- Slavery inhibited industrial growth and urbanization in the South, aside from cities like New Orleans.
Life Under Slavery
- Slaves were considered chattel (property) and had almost no legal rights.
- Slave codes strictly regulated enslaved people’s lives and enforced racial hierarchy.
- Family and church formed the core of slave communities, preserving African traditions and values.
- Enslaved people faced constant threats of physical punishment and family separation.
Free Black People in the South
- Free blacks faced legal restrictions, limited job opportunities, and social prejudice.
- Most free black communities developed around churches and mutual aid societies, especially in upper South cities.
Justifications and Defenses of Slavery
- Southern leaders argued slavery was a "positive good," using racial, religious, and economic logic.
- Pro-slavery ideology led to splits in major Protestant denominations over the issue.
- Southern society embraced paternalism, portraying owners as caretakers of “dependents.”
Resistance and Rebellion
- Enslaved people resisted via "silent sabotage," escape, and occasional violent rebellion.
- The Underground Railroad and notable figures like Harriet Tubman helped some slaves escape.
- Major rebellions included Gabriel Prosser’s, Denmark Vesey’s, and Nat Turner’s – all brutally suppressed.
Sectional Tensions and Legacy
- Slavery intensified sectionalism and debates about freedom and democracy in the US.
- Abolitionism grew in the North, while the South hardened its pro-slavery stance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Chattel — legally defined movable property; enslaved people were considered chattel.
- Mason-Dixon Line — boundary dividing free and slave states.
- Cotton Kingdom — term for the Deep South’s cotton-dominated economy.
- Gang System — system where slaves worked in groups under strict supervision.
- Task System — labor system where slaves had specific tasks and some autonomy.
- Paternalism — belief that slave owners cared for and protected their slaves as dependents.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read Chapter 11 in the textbook for more details.
- Prepare for discussion on 19th-century reform movements in the next class.