North & South Comparison (Civil War) Essay Example

The North & South emerged as two distinct regions because they had various differences. These differences included the geography, the economy, the culture, & the transportation of each region within the U.S. One of the most striking differences between the North & South was the climate and geography. In the North, the climate was very hilly and rocky so not the best for growing crops. It was also very hard to grow crops with such a short growing season. There were long, snowy winters and moderately warm summers. The South, on the other hand, is almost a polar opposite. They had a very ideal situation for crop-growing. The land was highly fertile because of all the rain and it offered a long growing season to the farmers of the region. Their winters were also very mild and they rarely got snow. There are many assorted differences in the economies of the North & South. In the South, the economy was based solely on agriculture. Plantations (very large farms) sustained the southern economy quite well. They were like small towns where everyone had a job to do. Slavery was also essential to the South’s well-being and economy. It allowed plantations to be very prosperous. In the North, the economy was the complete opposite. It was based almost entirely on industry and manufactured products. The main five were shipping, mining, lumber, furs, & textiles. All manufactured goods were highly popular and made the economy what it was. Trade between the North and foreign nations was common, but high tariffs were put in place to ensure their industries would be maintained. Societal differences also had a major influence in dividing the North & South. In the North, there were many newspapers and books published and distributed throughout the region. Many newspapers of the time were abolitionist newspapers and therefore hated in the South. Cities were centers for art & education. Hobbies dancing, playing cards, or performing in a theater. The South was, again, the