Agricultural developments in the South

Question 1

Describe the economic legacy of the Civil War on the South.

Answer 1

The abolition of slavery destroyed the economic foundations of the South: how would it be possible to rebuild its shattered economy now that ‘King Cotton’ had been undermined by the end of the slave economy?

Question 2

In the South, what did the political battles over Reconstruction fail to break down?

Answer 2

The traditional structures of the Southern economy and the dominance of the old ruling elite.

Question 3

Why were small farmers in a difficult situation?

Answer 3

• They were often unable to buy or to keep their own land
• Struggled to gain access to loans, or get their produce to market directly, without being controlled and exploited by larger businesses.

Question 4

Describe the economic development in the ‘New South’

Answer 4

There was railroad expansion, and cotton, tobacco and sugar remained major commodities for export.

Question 5

In the South, where did trade and shipping expand?

Answer 5

In ports like Mobile in Alabama, Charleston in South Carolina and New Orleans in Louisiana.

Question 6

Sum up the situation in the South.

Answer 6

Agriculture and economy lagged behind rest of country.
Few immigrants were tempted to settle there; in 1879, thousands of black farmers moved away in search of greater opportunities.