How Did Slavery Effect The South's Economy?

The South was considered a slave-base economy. Sometimes the South’s economy was considered to be separated from the merchant revolution, but this is not entirely true. The north would not have been able to industrialize without the help of Southern cotton, or at least not as quickly. Cotton was one of the first industrially produced products and quickly became the most important commodity in the world trade in the nineteenth century. There was a lower number of salves in the North since the Northern States outlawed slavery. In result, the North relied on the Southern’s cotton production to made money. Cotton shipment overseas made Northern businesses rich, Northern bankers financed land for plantations, Northern insurance companies made profit by insuring slaves since they were considered property; therefore, very valuable. The effect of slavery overtook the South economically and culturally. Many people do not know
the impact Frederick Douglass had on the movement of ending slavery. Douglass was raised by his grandmother who was a slave. By the age six, Douglass began his work as a salve. Douglass was sent to a new plantation where his owner’s wife taught him how to read. Douglass grew up and was contracted out to work. He left for the city, where he saw free African Americans. Douglass thought of a plan to achieve his own freedom. Douglass planned to escape to the North. Once settled, Douglass made friends that purchased him from his former owner to buy Douglass’ freedom. Many people do not know the importance Douglass had on the movement of ending slavery.
Douglass’ impact came when he got up and spoke at a rally discussing the removal of slavery. Douglass showed the Northerners the truth about slavery by telling his story. His story intrigued because he was previously a slave that was now “free.” The truth was shocking to some that realized the cruelty that was happening to slaves. Owners thought the only way to keep their slaves submissive was to beat them to create fear among them. Slaves were continuously being dehumanized by their owners and treated harshly. Slaves were sold that broke up families, women were raped, and families had to endure the suffering of their family members. Owners believed that African Americans were meant to serve them, that they were inferior to them. Owners used the Bible to try to justify their wrong doings by taking the Scripture out of context. These stories helped the people at the rally see the truth behind slavery and that they must abolished it
immediately. The CrashCourse video was clear information, but quickly because shadowed by the other videos. I really enjoyed hearing the story of Fredrick Douglass. It was indeed a sad story that turned victorious as he worked toward his freedom. The Underground Railroad video was an excellent overview of what was happening in this time of history. They revisited some points mentioned in the earlier videos that I watched. They knock down some popular myths about the Underground Railroad. The last video was an interesting video because it talked about some stereotypes that has been around about the South. The video went on to talk about details that lead to the South reacting to the abolishing of slavery and visiting the reason why they reacted this way.