APUSH Chapter 16: The South and Slavery

Questions and Answers

In the late 1700s, slavery was starting to die out, but the invention of the _____ _ prompted plantation owners to keep their slaves to support the larger cotton harvests.

cotton gin

Cotton accounted for ____% of the value of all American exports after 1840.

Britain imported 75% of its raw cotton from the South, in order to make cotton cloth. Because of this, the South had a significant ______________ on Britain.

influence

What type of government did the South have?

An oligarchy, a government ran by a few. Signup and view all the answers

What type of people typically affected governmental decisions in the South?

The planter aristocracy (the wealthier planters). Signup and view all the answers

The Southern economy was very dependent on , which made the economy __.

cotton; unstable Signup and view all the answers

Why did the majority (75%) of the Southern white population support slavery?

Because they wanted to eventually own slaves and achieve the 'American dream' of moving up in society. Signup and view all the answers

Less than ___% of the Southern white population were wealthy slave owners.

1 Signup and view all the answers

What were the less prosperous non-slaveholding whites referred to as?

'Hillbillies' and 'poor white trash'. Signup and view all the answers

Many free blacks settled in ______.

New Orleans Signup and view all the answers

Free blacks faced a lot of ___________________ in the North and South.

discrimination Signup and view all the answers

What were free blacks in the South known as?

'3rd Race'. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Black Belt region of the United States?

A region of the South where most slaves were concentrated. Signup and view all the answers

Blacks managed to sustain family life in slavery. They also formed their own religions from a mixture of __ and _ elements.

Christian; African Signup and view all the answers

Why were slaves not allowed to read?

Because the white people feared that if their slaves knew how to read, they would be better able to organize rebellions against their masters. Signup and view all the answers

What was Nat Turner's Rebellion?

A southern rebellion against slavery led by Nat Turner. Signup and view all the answers

What was the American Colonization Society?

A group against slavery who wanted to buy and free slaves then relocate them to Liberia. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Republic of Liberia?

A place for former slaves, founded in 1822. Signup and view all the answers

By 1860, all southern slaves were born in America, and many did not have a desire to .

return to Africa Signup and view all the answers

The Second Great Awakening inspired many __________________ to speak out against the sins of slavery.

abolitionists Signup and view all the answers

What was the American Anti-Slavery Society?

An organization founded in 1833 that advocated for immediate emancipation of slaves and racial equality. Signup and view all the answers

From 1831-1832, Virginia defeated numerous _ bills.Other states followed suit, prohibiting all forms of _.

emancipation; emancipation Signup and view all the answers

Why did Southerners argue that slavery was good?

They argued that it was supported by the Bible, and that slavery was good for the Africans because it introduced them to Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Gag Resolution mandate?

It required all anti-slavery appeals to be tabled without debate in the House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

Why would it be a big deal if slavery were to be abolished in the U.S. during this time period?

It would significantly hurt the U.S. economy, as people would lose their jobs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Slavery and the Cotton Economy

The cotton gin, invented in the late 1700s, revived slavery by enabling larger cotton harvests, leading to the expansion of plantations.
Cotton comprised 50% of all American exports post-1840, highlighting its economic significance.
Britain relied on the South for 75% of its raw cotton, indicating the South's economic influence on British industries.

The Southern government operated as an oligarchy, controlled by a small group of wealthy planters.
The planter aristocracy disproportionately influenced political decisions, exacerbating wealth gaps between rich and poor.

Approximately 75% of Southern whites did not own slaves but supported slavery, aspiring for social mobility and slave ownership.
Less than 1% of the Southern white population were affluent slave owners, while the non-slaveholding white majority were often derisively called "hillbillies" or "poor white trash."
Free blacks predominantly settled in New Orleans and experienced significant discrimination in both Northern and Southern states.

Restrictions and Cultural Resilience

In the South, free blacks were limited in job opportunities and could not testify against whites in court, labeled as the "3rd Race."
The Black Belt region was a significant area where a large concentration of slaves resided, stretching from South Carolina and Georgia to Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Despite harsh conditions, enslaved African Americans maintained family structures and created a syncretic culture combining Christian and African religious elements.

Education and Rebellion

Slaves were prohibited from reading due to fears that literacy would empower them to organize rebellions.
Nat Turner led one of the largest slave rebellions in U.S. history; it ultimately failed but exemplified the resistance against slavery.

Abolitionist Movements

The American Colonization Society aimed to purchase and free slaves, relocating them to Liberia, established in 1822 as a settlement for former slaves.
By 1860, all Southern slaves were born in America; many had no desire to return to Africa.
The Second Great Awakening spurred abolitionist sentiment, prompting groups like the American Anti-Slavery Society, founded in 1833, which advocated for immediate emancipation and racial equality.

Legislative Actions and Societal Consequences

Between 1831-1832, Virginia and other Southern states defeated numerous emancipation bills, reinforcing the institution of slavery.
Southern proponents of slavery argued it was biblically justified and beneficial for Africans by converting them to Christianity.
The Gag Resolution (1836-1844) mandated that all anti-slavery petitions be tabled without debate in Congress, stifling discussions on slavery.

Economic Considerations of Abolition

The abolition of slavery was seen as a threat to the economy; New England textile mills depended on cotton from enslaved labor. Ending slavery would disrupt supply chains, leading to job losses and economic distress in the North.

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Description

Explore key concepts from APUSH Chapter 16 focusing on the South and the slavery controversy. This quiz includes important definitions and statistics that shaped the era, such as the impact of the cotton gin on plantation economies. Test your understanding of this critical period in American history.