From: Liz Horan
Date: 4/5/00
Time: 11:44:54 PM
Remote Name: 205.188.192.172
Slavery was very important in the first half of the nineteenth century, although it was both economically and socially important. In the North at this time, slavery was not an essential element, but to the south it was. However, it is debatable whether or not the economy depended on slavery, or the southerners depended on slaves to do their work. By the time of the Civil War, slaves made up half of the population, but were responsible for producing 90 percent of the country's cotton, and almost all of the sugar and rice. Most of these products were generated in the South, because the climate and soil were more suitable. The increasing popularity of short-staple cotton strengthened the hold of slavery and plantation life in the South, because its production means were more complicated. By the 1850's "cotton was king!" The world depended on the south for three-quarters of their cotton at this time. No one can know for sure whether slavery remained powerful because of its strength as an institution, or simply the demand for its benefits. However, cotton and slavery were vital contributors to the Southern economy, but left them behind in industrialization. Slavery and cotton also left the region reliant on its only money-maker, its one-crop agriculture system. The North, on the other hand, was flourishing regardless of slavery, and the South was dependent on them for their capital and marketing. Even in the Southern cotton kingdom, only white owners with enough capital were making the money, most other planters were barely prospering. Since this area concentrated solely on their crop and exhausted all capital and business forces in it, it inhibited its own development. The North did not encounter this problem because they were never dependent on a certain business; the area was always diversified in its economic attributes. The South was also less motivated than the North to work hard and get an education. Many were illiterate and indolent, and thus relied on slaves to get the job done. Basically, slavery in the North did not impede or facilitate its economic development through slavery. Instead, they flourished regardless of slave labor. The South conversely, depended on slavery for production of cotton, and depended on cotton for stimulation of their economy. In forming this dependent society, they hindered their own social development, leading them to continue to rely on slave labor.