The Cottonocracy
Among the wealthy and powerful of southern citizens developed a class-based system much akin to the feudalist societies of the Middle Ages before and during the Civil War. Maintained by and built on the bare backs of slaves picking cotton in plantation fields, this "Cottonocracy" defined Confederate upper-class society. Unwilling to let go of their beloved aristocratic way of life, preserving the "Cottonocracy" was one of the major drives fro rich plantation owners to support slavery against the abolitionist movement.
Many people acknowledge that the cotton gin greatly influenced southern economy and trade. It lead to mass production of raw cotton which lead to the establishment of the "Cottonocracy". Due to the sudden wealth of the plantation owners, more slaves were bought, sold, and traded in the South. Although the government banned new slaves, smugglers brought more slaves from Africa to fit the demand of the plantation owners to make more cotton.
Cotton Gin. N.d. Photograph. The History of CottonWeb. 6 Dec 2013. <http://www.ortablu.org/topics/energy-tech/the-history-of-cotton-part-two>.
Cotton Gin. N.d. Photograph. The History of CottonWeb. 6 Dec 2013. <http://www.ortablu.org/topics/energy-tech/the-history-of-cotton-part-two>.
This picture is a of toy found in the southern upper-class, and shows that the southern plantation owners had wealth to spend on small things such as toys. This shows the abundance of wealth upper-class citizens had to spend on toys and unnecessary objects, especially during war times when resources were hard to come by.Rourk, Will. "Play Village." Play Village. UVA Digital Media Lab, n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.
http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/tomituds/toyvilhp1.jpg
http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/tomituds/toyvilhp1.jpg
This picture is of a water closet mostly found in southern plantations, and shows the importance they had on sanitation. The plantation owners were wealthy enough to afford proper sanitation as to which most other southern families wouldn't be able to afford sanitation. This shows the advantage of sanitation which could prevent disease and overall cleanliness.
Water Closet. N.d. Photograph. Composting Toilet WorldWeb. 6 Dec 2013. <http://compostingtoilet.org/news/000305.php>.
Water Closet. N.d. Photograph. Composting Toilet WorldWeb. 6 Dec 2013. <http://compostingtoilet.org/news/000305.php>.
This photo features a quilt Southern women knitted to afford gunboat ships for the Confederate Army.
The fact that women were allowed to knit but not to fight in the war shows the male-dominated southern society's influence.
Gunboat Quilt. N.d. Photograph. Patterns From HistoryWeb. 6 Dec 2013. <http://www.patternsfromhistory.com/civil_war/gunboat_quilts.htm>.
The fact that women were allowed to knit but not to fight in the war shows the male-dominated southern society's influence.
Gunboat Quilt. N.d. Photograph. Patterns From HistoryWeb. 6 Dec 2013. <http://www.patternsfromhistory.com/civil_war/gunboat_quilts.htm>.
This is a photo of a Southern plantation home during the Civil War.
The extravagance of the house demonstrates the extent to which the "Cottonocracy" benefited from slave labor.
Crescent Plantation House. N.d. Photograph. "Vignettes" of the Civil WarWeb. 6 Dec 2013. <http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lamadiso/articles/ward/contents.htm>.
The extravagance of the house demonstrates the extent to which the "Cottonocracy" benefited from slave labor.
Crescent Plantation House. N.d. Photograph. "Vignettes" of the Civil WarWeb. 6 Dec 2013. <http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lamadiso/articles/ward/contents.htm>.