Sectionalism

Sectionalism Life in the North and South Life as a Slave

Geography 

Climate ◦ four seasons from frozen winters to hot summers.

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Natural Features ◦ bays, inlets, coastal plains, rocky soil, hills, valleys, forests, rivers, fertile soil, mountains, central plains.

Life in the North

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Industry ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

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Economy

Factories and mills inventions Industrial Revolution wealthy business owners strong economy

Transportation

◦ Internal Improvements- roads and canals

Life in the North

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Society Strong work ethic, they were neither wealthy nor powerful.

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Seven out ten lived on farms.

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Cities and towns grew such as Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.

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Cities were overcrowded and disease infested.

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Few paved roads and not many sewage systems.

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Life in the North

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Society African Americans were free in the North. They did not have the right to… ◦ Vote, hold office, serve on juries, attend white churches or schools.

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Immigrants came from Ireland and Germany because of famines and revolutions in Europe. ◦ Immigrants found jobs in factories, were resented by most northerners an faced discrimination.

Life in the North

Geography 

Climate ◦ Mild winters and long, hot summers.

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Natural Features ◦ Coastal plains, bays, gulfs, swamps, marshes, crops and fertile soil, mountains, rolling hills, and hollows, forests, rivers,

Life in the South

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Economy Agriculture or agrarian society ◦ Small farms◦ 75% of white society ◦ Provided for themselves

◦ Plantations◦ “Cottonocracy” ◦ Grew cash crops by using slave labor.

◦ Poor whites◦ Did not own land, often rented. ◦ They barely made a living by growing corn and other vegetables.

Life in the South

Economy  Plantations grew. 

From the Atlantic Coast to Texas.

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Slavery expanded

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over 3 million slaves in the USA in 1850

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Invested in land and slaves, not factories.

Life in the South

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Society Rigid social class structure.

◦ Top of society-Plantation owners (16%)

 Dominated politics and the economy of the south.

◦ White farmers and the working class who owned no slaves. (50%)  Worked their own land

◦ African Americans were divided into two areas. (34%)  Free African Americans (2%) had no basic rights.  Enslaved African Americans (32%)

◦ worked as cooks, carpenters, blacksmiths, servants, maids, and in the fields.

Life in the South

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Working Conditions ◦ Locations- small farms, plantations.

◦ Worked from dawn to dusk in the fields. ◦ Worked in the evening at various chores and tasks. ◦ As young as age 6 to the elderly.

Life as a SLave

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Living Conditions

◦ Lived in crowded, rough cabins. ◦ Food such as bacon, cornmeal, and molasses were provided. ◦ Slaves kept their own gardens, hunted and fished. ◦ Clothes were made of coarse linen and were provided with the basics each year. ◦ Some medical are was provided for the sick and injured.

Life as A Slave

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Controlling Slaves: Forced labor Harsh punishments◦ beating, whipping, and branding.

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Made slaves totally dependent on their masters.

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Slave breakers were used to break down the spirit and the will of African Americans.

Life as A Slave

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Resistance to Slavery: Rebellion ◦ Breaking fences and tools, damaging crops, sneaking food. ◦ Pretending illnesses or disabilities. ◦ Slipping poison into the owner’s food and burning homes and barns.

Life as a Slave

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Resistance to Slavery ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Running Away : Walking to the North and hiding along the way Following the North Star Riding by train or boat Forged ID cards Used disguises.

◦ Rebellion: ◦ Slave revolts:

 Charleston, SC, 1822- Denmark Vesey tries to lead a revolt but is arrested and hanged.  Virginia, 1831- Nat Turner leads a revolt with axes and guns kills over 57 people.

◦ Slave codes were passed soon after these events.

Life as A Slave

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Families and Communities Legally, families did not exist.

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Families could be separated.

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Unable to marry legally, held traditions of jumping the broom.

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Families tried to teach their children ◦ Lessons of survival: silence and obedience ◦ Lessons on morality: caring, kindness, pride, and hope.

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Respect of elders and themselves.

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Close communities helped provide for basic needs.

Life as a slave

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Leisure Activities

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Saturday nights- social events that combined work and fun. ◦ Pea shelling, corn husking, and quilting.

◦ Quilting feasts with dancing, played music on homemade instruments. 

Sunday- religious events and recreation. ◦ Activities included:

 church, eating, hunting, fishing, dancing, singing, gambling, and visiting with friends.

Life as A slave

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Churches

◦ Invisible churches: ◦ Met in slave quarters and forest clearings. ◦ Teachings were on Moses leading his people out of slavery. ◦ Sang spirituals and prayers. ◦ They gave voice to their deepest longings, greatest sorrows, and highest hopes.

Life as A Slave

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Culture: Combined old and new cultures: ◦ Language: Quilt stories and Bible stories ◦ Songs and spirituals: Realities of slavery, love, faith, kindness, and cruelty of masters. ◦ Dances: Escape cares, express feelings, and refresh spirits. ◦ Folktales and legends: Stories and jokes to outwit the masters.

Life As A Slave