Embedded Files
By the 1830's Mississippi was a leading cotton producer, increasing its demand for enslaved labor. Some planters considered slavery a "necessary evil" to make cotton production profitable, for the survival of the cotton economy, and were brought in from the border states and the tobacco states where slavery was declining. The 1832 state constitution forbade any further importation of slaves by the domestic slave trade, but the provision was found to be unenforceable, and it was repealed.
By the 1830's Mississippi was a leading cotton producer, increasing its demand for enslaved labor. Some planters considered slavery a "necessary evil" to make cotton production profitable, for the survival of the cotton economy, and were brought in from the border states and the tobacco states where slavery was declining. The 1832 state constitution forbade any further importation of slaves by the domestic slave trade, but the provision was found to be unenforceable, and it was repealed.
As planters increased their holdings of land and slaves, the price of land rose, and small farmers were driven into less fertile areas. An elite slave-owning class arose that wielded disproportionate political and economic power. By 1860, of the 354,000 whites, only 31,000 owned slaves and two thirds of these held fewer than 10. Fewer than 5,000 slaveholders had more than 20 slaves; 317 possessed more than 100. These 5,000 planters, especially the elite among them, controlled the state. In addition a middle element of farmers owned land but no slaves. A small number of businessmen and professionals lived in the villages and small towns. The lower class, or "poor whites", occupied marginal farm lands remote from the rich cotton lands and grew food for their families, not cotton. Whether they owned slaves or not, however, most white Mississippians supported the slave society; all whites were considered above blacks in social status.
As planters increased their holdings of land and slaves, the price of land rose, and small farmers were driven into less fertile areas. An elite slave-owning class arose that wielded disproportionate political and economic power. By 1860, of the 354,000 whites, only 31,000 owned slaves and two thirds of these held fewer than 10. Fewer than 5,000 slaveholders had more than 20 slaves; 317 possessed more than 100. These 5,000 planters, especially the elite among them, controlled the state. In addition a middle element of farmers owned land but no slaves. A small number of businessmen and professionals lived in the villages and small towns. The lower class, or "poor whites", occupied marginal farm lands remote from the rich cotton lands and grew food for their families, not cotton. Whether they owned slaves or not, however, most white Mississippians supported the slave society; all whites were considered above blacks in social status.
Blacks numbered 437,000, making up 55% of the population; they were overwhelmingly enslaved. Cotton production grew from 43,000 bales in 1820 to more than one million bales in 1860, as Mississippi became the leading cotton-producing state. With international demand high, Mississippi and other Deep South cotton was exported to the textile factories of Britain and France, as well as those in New York and New England.
Blacks numbered 437,000, making up 55% of the population; they were overwhelmingly enslaved. Cotton production grew from 43,000 bales in 1820 to more than one million bales in 1860, as Mississippi became the leading cotton-producing state. With international demand high, Mississippi and other Deep South cotton was exported to the textile factories of Britain and France, as well as those in New York and New England.
Here is an 1860 Census Form for William N. Raines that shows a listing of Male and Female slaves in 1860. At this time, he and his family were living in Hernando, Mississippi:
Here is an 1860 Census Form for William N. Raines that shows a listing of Male and Female slaves in 1860. At this time, he and his family were living in Hernando, Mississippi:
Slavery would exist in America for 245 years from 1620 to 1865 (not just the Civil War period). Twelve U.S. Presidents owned slaves (including Ulysses Grant ... he owned one) and seven more had relatives who owned slaves. While the Civil War would technically end the institution of slavery, it did not bring about equality among the races. It would be 99 more years before the 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed which ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
Slavery would exist in America for 245 years from 1620 to 1865 (not just the Civil War period). Twelve U.S. Presidents owned slaves (including Ulysses Grant ... he owned one) and seven more had relatives who owned slaves. While the Civil War would technically end the institution of slavery, it did not bring about equality among the races. It would be 99 more years before the 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed which ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
Slave Population in the Southern States Based on 1860 Census*
Slave Population in the Southern States Based on 1860 Census*
*Note: Virginia had the most slaves followed by Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama
Google Sites
Report abuse