American Pageant Chapter 16 APUSH Review

Summary

This APUSH lecture explores the rise and impact of slavery in the antebellum South, from its origins in the early 1600s to its role in shaping Southern society. Key points include the shift from indentured servitude to chattel slavery, the economic significance of cotton after the invention of the cotton gin, and the political tensions surrounding slavery, such as the Missouri Compromise and the abolitionist movement. The lecture discusses the economic reliance on slave labor, the social hierarchy in the South, the resistance from both enslaved people and abolitionists, and the defense of slavery in the South, ultimately leading to the Civil War.

Takeaways

• 😀 Slavery in America began with the first slave ships arriving in Jamestown in 1619, and the shift from indentured servants to Black chattel slavery in Virginia by 1676 following Bacon's Rebellion.
• 😀 The issue of slavery was postponed at the Constitutional Convention, but compromises like the 3/5ths Compromise and the Fugitive Slave Law were established, alongside a ban on the international slave trade after 1808.
• 😀 Many Northern and Middle states, such as Pennsylvania and New York, gradually abolished slavery after the American Revolution due to both economic and ideological reasons.
• 😀 Slavery continued to expand in the South, particularly with the rise of cotton production after Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in the 1790s, leading to an increased demand for slave labor.
• 😀 The economic prosperity driven by Southern cotton was fueled by the market revolution and the demand for raw materials from both Northern industries and England.
• 😀 By the 1860s, cotton production spread westward, leading to a booming internal slave trade, particularly between the Deep South states like Mississippi and South Carolina.
• 😀 Southern society was primarily agrarian, with 25% of whites owning slaves. The majority of white Southerners did not own slaves but still supported the institution due to hopes of social mobility and racial hierarchy.
• 😀 The South had a highly unequal social structure, with plantation owners controlling most of the wealth and politics, and a large gap between rich and poor, making Southern society oligarchic.
• 😀 African-American culture in both the North and South developed distinct characteristics, including black Christianity and spirituals, as well as covert and overt resistance to slavery through actions like running away or revolting.
• 😀 The abolitionist movement grew over time, with key figures such as Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and David Walker advocating for the immediate end of slavery, often facing hostility from both the North and South.

Q & A

What was the significance of Bacon's Rebellion in 1676?

Bacon's Rebellion marked a pivotal shift in Virginia's labor system, transitioning from reliance on indentured servants to the widespread use of Black chattel slavery, which became a cornerstone of the Southern economy.

How did the 3/5ths Compromise address the issue of slavery?

The 3/5ths Compromise allowed states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population for purposes of representation in Congress and taxation, thereby granting Southern states more political power.

What were the economic impacts of Eli Whitney's cotton gin?

The cotton gin revolutionized cotton production by making it more efficient to separate seeds from cotton fibers. This spurred a massive increase in cotton cultivation, driving demand for both land and enslaved labor, and making slavery more profitable in the South.

How did the rise of cotton affect the Southern economy and society?

The rise of cotton as a cash crop led to an increase in the demand for land and slaves, transforming the South into a highly agrarian society that relied heavily on slave labor, while the North and England became economically interdependent on Southern cotton.

What was the role of slavery in shaping the political structure of the South?

Slavery in the South created a political oligarchy dominated by wealthy plantation owners. Although only a minority of whites owned slaves, the political power was concentrated in the hands of these elite landowners, who shaped the region's laws and government.

What was the Missouri Compromise, and how did it relate to the issue of slavery?

The Missouri Compromise was an agreement reached in 1820 to maintain a balance between slave and free states. Missouri was admitted as a slave state, while Maine was admitted as a free state, and slavery was prohibited in territories north of the 36°30' parallel.

Why did many poor Southern whites support slavery despite not owning slaves themselves?

Many poor Southern whites supported slavery due to a belief in social hierarchy and the hope that they might one day own slaves. Additionally, there was pervasive racism and a desire to feel superior to African Americans, even if they were not part of the slave-owning elite.

What were some forms of resistance to slavery by African Americans?

Resistance to slavery took many forms, including work slowdowns, breaking tools, running away (often through the Underground Railroad), and even organizing revolts. Notable revolts included Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831 and the Stono Rebellion in 1739.

What were the key goals of abolitionist movements in the 19th century?

Abolitionist movements aimed to end slavery, with some advocating for immediate and uncompensated emancipation, while others proposed gradual emancipation or colonization, like the American Colonization Society's plan to send freed slaves back to Africa.

How did Southern defenders of slavery justify the institution?

Southern defenders of slavery argued that it was a benevolent system, claiming that slaves were treated as part of the family and better off than factory workers in the North. They also promoted the idea that slavery was a means of 'civilizing' African Americans by bringing them to America.