The Worlds of North and South

Chapter 19

19.1 Introduction

• Eli Whitney changed the South with his invention of the cotton gin.

19.2 Geography of the North

• 4 distinct seasons; cold winters, hot, humid summers.• Hundreds of bays for harbors. Rocky soil, not good for

farming.• Central Plains were good for farming.• Much deforestation—clearing trees for wood.

19.3 Geography of the South

• Mild winters; long, hot, humid summers.• Fertile lowlands, many marshes and swamps.• Perfect for growing rice, sugar, indigo, tobacco

(cash crops).

19.4 Economy of the South

• South’s economy was based on AGRICULTURE. Most southerners were agrarians (favored a way of life based on farming).

• Most had small farms.• Slavery beginning to decline in late 1700s; prices went

down (tobacco, indigo) and cotton was difficult.

Why Was Cotton King?

• The cotton gin made cotton profitable. Cotton was South’s most important crop. Earned more money than all other exports combined.

• With the spread of cotton, demand for slaves increased. 1790 to 1850, number of slaves rose 600%.

• Southerners put all their money into slaves and land, and almost none into building factories.

19.5 Economy of the North

• The North experienced the Industrial Revolution—the shift from handmade goods to machine-made goods. This resulted in new jobs, increased production, and improved efficiency in agriculture.

• The Indust. Rev. changed northern agriculture with Cyrus McCormick’s reaper. It could cut 28xs more grain than a single man.