HISTO-1130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: American Tobacco Company, Textile Industry, Rocky Mountains
Document Summary
Postwar south holds promise of real democracy; ideal of modeling it after the north and its industrial development. South lost the war in part because its economy wasn"t diversified. More efficient agriculture foundation of economic growth. More widespread education will promote regional prosperity. Sectional peace, racial harmony will provide stable environment for economic growth. 1880-1900 cotton mills expand from 161 to 400. 1900: largest producer of cotton fabric in the country. Most mill workers are white, women, and children. Lumber the fastest growing industry after 1870. 1900: the south is least urban, industrial, educated, prosperous, region in the us. Crop prices deflated for last third of 19th century. Most farm workers become sharecroppers and tenant farmers. Sharecroppers: work owners land for seed, fertilizer, supplies, and share of crop. Tenant farmers: work owners land, have mule, cow, or stuff. Shortage of money leads to endless debt for many southerners.
