HIST-H 105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: African Methodist Episcopal Church, Denmark Vesey, History Of The Southern United States
Document Summary
First half of 1800s- elite group of whites dominated society and made profits on african slave labor: developed wealthy culture. The divided society of the old south: old south deeply divided by race and economic class as slavery increased in importance to economy and society. Held together by common economy and culture. Plantation agriculture and slave labor essential to south economy since early colonies. Unfree blacks only workers readily available: region and class important for determining white relationship to slavery. Ownership of slaves determined social prestige and influence. Planters (owned 20+ slaves) lived in plantation areas of cotton belt- from. Georgia across alabama, miss. , louisiana, texas, southern s carolina: 1860- 25% of all white southerners owned slaves. 4% of total south white population were planters. 75% owned no slaves: divisions within black society. Most were slaves, but about 6% free. Some differences in status and experience between field hands and house servants.
