Sectionalism
Life in the North and South
Life as a Slave
Geography
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Climate
◦ four seasons from frozen winters to hot
summers.
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Natural Features
◦ bays, inlets, coastal plains, rocky soil, hills,
valleys, forests, rivers, fertile soil, mountains,
central plains.
Life in the North
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Industry
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Economy
Factories and mills
inventions
Industrial Revolution
wealthy business owners
strong economy
Transportation
◦ Internal Improvements- roads and canals
Life in the North
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Society
Strong work ethic, they were neither wealthy nor
powerful.
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Seven out ten lived on farms.
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Cities and towns grew such as Chicago, Detroit,
New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.
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Cities were overcrowded and disease infested.
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Few paved roads and not many sewage systems.
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Life in the North
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Society
African Americans were free in the
North. They did not have the right to…
◦ Vote, hold office, serve on juries, attend white
churches or schools.

Immigrants came from Ireland and
Germany because of famines and
revolutions in Europe.
◦ Immigrants found jobs in factories, were resented
by most northerners an faced discrimination.
Life in the North
Geography

Climate
◦ Mild winters and long, hot summers.
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Natural Features
◦ Coastal plains, bays, gulfs, swamps, marshes,
crops and fertile soil, mountains, rolling hills,
and hollows, forests, rivers,
Life in the South
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Economy
Agriculture or agrarian society
◦ Small farms◦ 75% of white society
◦ Provided for themselves
◦ Plantations◦ “Cottonocracy”
◦ Grew cash crops by using slave labor.
◦ Poor whites◦ Did not own land, often rented.
◦ They barely made a living by growing corn and other
vegetables.
Life in the South
Economy
 Plantations grew.
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From the Atlantic Coast to Texas.
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Slavery expanded

over 3 million slaves in the USA in 1850

Invested in land and slaves, not factories.
Life in the South
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Society
Rigid social class structure.
◦ Top of society-Plantation owners (16%)
 Dominated politics and the economy of the south.
◦ White farmers and the working class who owned
no slaves. (50%)
 Worked their own land
◦ African Americans were divided into two areas.
(34%)
 Free African Americans (2%) had no basic rights.
 Enslaved African Americans (32%)
◦ worked as cooks, carpenters, blacksmiths, servants, maids, and in
the fields.
Life in the South
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Working Conditions
◦ Locations- small farms, plantations.
◦ Worked from dawn to dusk in the fields.
◦ Worked in the evening at various chores and
tasks.
◦ As young as age 6 to the elderly.
Life as a SLave
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Living Conditions
◦ Lived in crowded, rough cabins.
◦ Food such as bacon, cornmeal, and molasses were
provided.
◦ Slaves kept their own gardens, hunted and fished.
◦ Clothes were made of coarse linen and were
provided with the basics each year.
◦ Some medical are was provided for the sick and
injured.
Life as A Slave
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Controlling Slaves: Forced labor
Harsh punishments◦ beating, whipping, and branding.
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Made slaves totally dependent on their
masters.
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Slave breakers were used to break down
the spirit and the will of African
Americans.
Life as A Slave
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Resistance to Slavery: Rebellion
◦ Breaking fences and tools, damaging crops,
sneaking food.
◦ Pretending illnesses or disabilities.
◦ Slipping poison into the owner’s food and
burning homes and barns.
Life as a Slave
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Resistance to Slavery
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Running Away :
Walking to the North and hiding along the way
Following the North Star
Riding by train or boat
Forged ID cards
Used disguises.
◦ Rebellion:
◦ Slave revolts:
 Charleston, SC, 1822- Denmark Vesey tries to lead a revolt but is
arrested and hanged.
 Virginia, 1831- Nat Turner leads a revolt with axes and guns kills over 57
people.
◦ Slave codes were passed soon after these events.
Life as A Slave
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Families and Communities
Legally, families did not exist.
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Families could be separated.
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Unable to marry legally, held traditions of jumping the broom.
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Families tried to teach their children
◦ Lessons of survival: silence and obedience
◦ Lessons on morality: caring, kindness, pride, and hope.
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Respect of elders and themselves.
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Close communities helped provide for basic needs.
Life as a slave
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Leisure Activities
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Saturday nights- social events that combined
work and fun.
◦ Pea shelling, corn husking, and quilting.
◦ Quilting feasts with dancing, played music on homemade
instruments.
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Sunday- religious events and recreation.
◦ Activities included:
 church, eating, hunting, fishing, dancing, singing,
gambling, and visiting with friends.
Life as A slave
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Churches
◦ Invisible churches:
◦ Met in slave quarters and forest clearings.
◦ Teachings were on Moses leading his people
out of slavery.
◦ Sang spirituals and prayers.
◦ They gave voice to their deepest longings,
greatest sorrows, and highest hopes.
Life as A Slave
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Culture: Combined old and new cultures:
◦ Language: Quilt stories and Bible stories
◦ Songs and spirituals: Realities of slavery, love,
faith, kindness, and cruelty of masters.
◦ Dances: Escape cares, express feelings, and
refresh spirits.
◦ Folktales and legends: Stories and jokes to
outwit the masters.
Life As A Slave