All Flashcards
Who was Eli Whitney?
The inventor of the cotton gin, which revolutionized cotton production and increased the demand for enslaved labor.
What is the definition of 'Cotton Gin'?
A machine that separates cotton seeds from fibers, invented by Eli Whitney in 1793.
What is the definition of 'King Cotton'?
A term used to describe the dominance of cotton in the Southern economy and its influence on Southern society and politics.
What is the definition of 'Antebellum South'?
The period in the Southern United States before the Civil War (roughly 1815-1860).
What is the definition of 'White Supremacy'?
The belief that white people are superior to people of other races and should therefore dominate society.
What is the definition of 'Patriarchy'?
A social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, property ownership, and control of labor.
What is the definition of 'Sectionalism'?
Loyalty to one's own region or section of the country, rather than to the country as a whole.
Define 'Overcultivation'.
The excessive and unsustainable planting of a crop (like cotton) which depletes the soil of its nutrients.
Define 'Cash Crop'.
An agricultural crop which is grown for sale to return a profit.
Define 'Abolition'.
The act of putting an end to something by law, specifically slavery.
Define 'Textile Mills'.
Factories that process fibers, like cotton, into yarn or fabric.
Compare the economies of the North and South.
The North had a more diverse, industrial economy, while the South was primarily agricultural and dependent on cotton and slavery.
Compare the social structures of the North and South.
The North had a more fluid social structure, while the South was characterized by a rigid hierarchy based on race and slave ownership.
Compare the education systems of the North and South.
The North placed a greater emphasis on education, leading to higher literacy rates, while the South had limited resources and high illiteracy rates, especially in rural areas.
Compare the views on slavery in the North and South.
The North increasingly opposed slavery, while the South defended it as essential to their economy and way of life.
Compare the political ideologies of the North and South.
The North favored a stronger federal government, while the South advocated for states' rights and limited federal interference.
Compare the values of the North and South.
The North valued progress, innovation, and individual opportunity, while the South emphasized tradition, honor, and community.
Compare the labor systems of the North and South.
The North relied on free labor, while the South depended on enslaved labor for its agricultural production.
Compare the infrastructure of the North and South.
The North had a more developed infrastructure, including railroads and canals, while the South's infrastructure was less developed and focused on river transportation.
Compare the urbanization of the North and South.
The North was more urbanized, with growing cities and industrial centers, while the South remained largely rural and agricultural.
Compare the immigration patterns of the North and South.
The North attracted more immigrants, contributing to its diverse population, while the South had fewer immigrants and a more homogenous population.