Theme Flashcards
What was the Southern economy like in the Old South?
The Old South relied heavily on agriculture, particularly tobacco, rice, and indigo. It was a more diversified economy with smaller farms and a less concentrated slave population.
What was the Southern economy like in the New South?
The New South saw the rise of cotton as the dominant crop, fueled by the cotton gin and the expansion of slavery. This led to a more centralized economy with large plantations and a significant increase in the slave population.
What was the role of the planter class in the South?
The planter class held significant political and economic power in the South. They owned large plantations, controlled the majority of the wealth, and shaped Southern society and politics.
Describe slave life and culture in the South.
Slave life was characterized by harsh conditions, forced labor, and limited freedom. However, slaves developed their own unique culture, including music, religion, and family traditions, as a way to cope with their situation and maintain their humanity.
What were some forms of slave resistance?
Slave resistance took many forms, from subtle acts of defiance like slowing down work or feigning illness to more overt acts like running away, revolting, or sabotaging property.
How did the rise of the cotton kingdom impact the South?
The cotton kingdom led to a significant increase in wealth and power for the planter class, but it also created a deeply divided society based on race and economic inequality. It also solidified the institution of slavery as the cornerstone of the Southern economy, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.
What was Jacksonian Democracy?
Jacksonian Democracy was a political philosophy that emphasized the common man, limited government, and states’ rights. It promoted suffrage for white men, opposed elitism, and favored a strong executive branch.
What was the “White Man’s Democracy”?
While Jacksonian Democracy promoted suffrage for white men, it excluded women, African Americans, and Native Americans from the political process. This limited expansion of democracy was often referred to as the “White Man’s Democracy.”
What was the Bank War?
The Bank War was a political conflict between President Andrew Jackson and the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson opposed the bank, believing it was too powerful and favored the wealthy elite. He vetoed the bank’s recharter bill, leading to a major political battle.
What was the Nullification Crisis?
The Nullification Crisis arose when South Carolina declared a federal tariff null and void within its borders. This challenged the supremacy of federal law and led to a standoff between the state and the federal government.
What was the Indian Removal Act?
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to lands west of the Mississippi River.
What was the Trail of Tears?
The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation from their homeland in Georgia to Oklahoma. The journey was marked by hardship, disease, and death, resulting in the loss of thousands of Cherokee lives.
