Topic (1.1) The Differing Social and Economic Structures of the South and North

Partial Progress - Circles (browser only)

Introduction

This topic introduces the different experiences and attitudes in the northern and southern states. In the decades before the Civil War, northern and southern development followed increasingly different paths. By 1860, the North contained 50 percent more people than the South. It was more urbanized and attracted many more European immigrants. The northern economy was more diversified into agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, financial and transportation sectors.

In contrast, the South had smaller and fewer cities and a third of its population lived in slavery. In the South, slavery impeded the development of industry and cities and discouraged technological innovation. Nevertheless, the South was wealthy and its economy was rapidly growing. The southern economy largely financed the Industrial Revolution in the United State and stimulated the development of industries in the North to service southern agriculture.

Read and Make Notes

Read the sections on economic differences and North-South differences on pages 4–5 of your coursebook and make detailed notes.

Tasks

Work your way through the tasks below and add to your notes on the topic.

WATCH - The Differences Between the North and South Before the Civil War (YouTube)

Use the following website to find statistics to support your points on the economic differences.

EXPLORE – Battlefields (American Battlefield Trust)

Read the section on Southern economic grievances on page 5 of your coursebook and watch the video.

WATCH – Tax Increase in Civil War (Britannica)

Write a paragraph explaining why the South felt resentment, particularly over tariffs.

Consider the difference in in culture and values. Use page 5 of your coursebook and the website below.

READ – The Old South (Digital History)

Use the video to help you summarise the negative views North and South held about the other.

WATCH – Differences Between North and South (YouTube)

Extend

Use the website to note how the differences have been over-emphasised.

READ AND MAKE NOTES – Causing the Civil War (Teaching History)

Consolidate

Summarise the key differences in your own words. Then watch the video.

WATCH – The North and The South (YouTube)

Terminology

Look at the key terms in the margins of the pages in the coursebook and make sure you could use each one accurately.
Note also the glossary at the back of the coursebook. Make sure you refer to this regularly as you work through the course.
A helpful tip is to make flashcards for key terms as you go along, with the word on one side and the definition on the other. This makes revision later on much easier.