Antebellum Period Overview and Eli Whitney
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Questions and Answers

What invention is Eli Whitney best known for?

  • The mechanical plow
  • The spinning jenny
  • The steam engine
  • The cotton gin (correct)

    • Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin decreased the demand for slave labor in the South.

    False

    What led Eli Whitney to move to the South?

    He decided to make his fortune after graduating from Yale University.

    Eli Whitney was born in __________, Massachusetts.

    <p>Westboro</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What crop became the primary focus for plantation agriculture after the cotton gin was invented?

    <p>Cotton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following historical events with their significance:

    <p>Cotton Gin = Increased cotton production and slavery in the South Industrial Revolution = Created a boom in textiles demand Missouri Compromise = Attempt to balance free and slave states Eli Whitney's Death = Marked the end of a significant inventor's life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin solely to benefit the slaves working on plantations.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant life event occurred for Eli Whitney at age 11?

    <p>His mother died.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was an outcome of the revolt led by Turner?

    <p>Harsher slave laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'Peculiar Institution' refers to a positive view of slavery.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did an overseer play on a plantation?

    <p>An overseer was responsible for ensuring that slaves completed their work and adhered to strict rules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Missouri Compromise was a conflict between the North, which wanted stronger _____ control, and the South, which preferred a stronger _____ government.

    <p>federal, state</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms related to slavery and the Missouri Compromise with their definitions:

    <p>Cotton Gin = Increased the demand for slave labor Eli Whitney = Inventor of the cotton gin Missouri Compromise = An agreement to maintain the balance of slave and free states Overseer = Individual who managed enslaved workers on a plantation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary issue that the Missouri Compromise aimed to address?

    <p>Slavery expansion into new territories</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Missouri Compromise resulted in the admission of Missouri as a free state.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was the key political figure behind the Missouri Compromise?

    <p>Henry Clay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The 36/30 line was a boundary that separated free states from ________ states.

    <p>slave</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following states with their status after the Missouri Compromise:

    <p>Missouri = Slave state Maine = Free state Texas = Slave state California = Free state</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements reflects a common belief in the Southern states regarding slavery?

    <p>God intended that black people should be enslaved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The North's economy relied heavily on agriculture and slave labor.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the effect of the Missouri Compromise on the number of free and slave states?

    <p>It created an equal number of 12 free states and 12 slave states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Henry Clay's compromise admitted Missouri as a ________ state and Maine as a ________ state.

    <p>slave, free</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the economic activities with the regions:

    <p>North = Industrialization South = Agriculture West = Expansion Northeast = Factories</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the common misconception about enslaved people in the South?

    <p>They preferred working on plantations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The balance of power between slave states and free states was unimportant before the Civil War.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What crop was primarily associated with the Southern agricultural economy?

    <p>Cotton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The term 'Sectionalism' refers to the emphasis on loyalty to a ________ rather than to the country as a whole.

    <p>region</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Antebellum Period Summary

    • The period before the American Civil War (1861-1865)
    • Characterized by significant social and political divisions
    • Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin (1793) had a profound impact on the South
    • The cotton gin increased cotton production dramatically
    • The demand for cotton increased dramatically boosting the Southern economy
    • The reliance on agriculture in the South contrasted with the growing industrialization of the North
    • This resulted in a stark difference in economic, social and political viewpoints
    • This led to intense sectionalism, which laid the groundwork for significant conflicts including the Civil War.

    Eli Whitney

    • Born in Westboro, Massachusetts (December 8, 1765)
    • His mother died when he was 11 years old
    • Worked in his father's shop as a boy, developing mechanical skills and repairing parts.
    • At 14, he started his own business making nails
    • Worked as a schoolteacher and farmer
    • Got enough money to attend Yale University
    • Studied law, but couldn't pay his tuition
    • Moved to the South to become a business partner with the widow of Revolutionary War hero General Greene
    • Developed the cotton gin
    • Invented mechanical devices to ease pain of his prostate cancer.
    • Died January 8, 1825.

    Cotton Gin

    • Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793
    • Increased cotton production significantly, driving the Southern economy.
    • The cotton gin drastically sped up seed-separation process, making Southern cotton much more profitable
    • The increase in cotton production increased demand for enslaved labor to work the increase of cotton plantations
    • Invented to lessen the workload for slaves, making production more efficient.
    • His invention is ironic as it was a catalyst for the continuation of slavery

    Historical Significance of the Cotton Gin

    • Led to a massive increase in cotton production
    • Dramatically increased the demand for enslaved labor in the South
    • Caused the South's economy to become heavily reliant on cash crops
    • Encouraged widespread use of enslaved labor in the South
    • Played a significant part in leading towards the Civil War.

    Historical Significance of Slavery

    • The institution of slavery was a crucial factor leading to the American Civil War
    • The South's economy heavily relied on slaves
    • The North's growing industrialization and opposition to slavery created intense sectional conflict
    • The Missouri Compromise of 1820 tried to ease sectional tensions arising from expansion of free vs. slave territories.
    • Eventually, the conflicting views on slavery led to the Civil War.

    Slave Codes

    • Laws designed to control enslaved people, severely restricting their lives and freedoms
    • They defined the rights and responsibilities of enslaved people and their treatment and conditions.
    • Intended to prevent slaves from organizing or revolting.
    • Created strict rules ensuring enslaved people would remain under the absolute control of their owners
    • These codes limited every aspect of enslaved African American lives.

    Missouri Compromise of 1820

    • An attempt to maintain the balance of power between slave and free states in the United States Senate
    • Made Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state to maintain equal number of slave and free states.
    • Created a geographical boundary (36°30′ latitude) to regulate the expansion of slavery in the Louisiana Purchase territory
    • This compromise temporarily calmed tensions but ultimately failed to solve the fundamental conflict over slavery.

    Impact of Industrialization and Agriculture

    • The North's industrial economy developed faster than the South's agricultural economy.
    • These differences sparked significant tension regarding economic policies. Northern industries largely benefited from tariffs on imported goods while the South wanted lower tariffs in order to keep profits higher for the export of cotton to foreign markets.
    • The contrasting economic interests contributed to sectionalism and growing conflict.

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    Related Documents

    Antebellum Test Study Guide PDF

    Description

    Explore the Antebellum Period before the Civil War, highlighting the profound social and political divisions of the time. Learn about Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin and its significant impact on the Southern economy and its role in increasing sectional tensions.

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