Comparing and Contrasting the North and South

Directions - Copy the information below on your own paper, comparing and contrasting the North and South in the mid-1800's. Make a chart like the one below so you can see the differences.

When you are done with the notes, write a paragraph explaining the differences between the North and the South.

Information About the North	Information About the South
Climate and Geography � Warm, humid summers and cold snowy winters � Short growing season plus cold made farming difficult. � Clear, fast rivers � Coastline full of bays. � Cities develop near rivers and bays. � Cities develop as trading centers. � People begin to use waterpower to run factories.	Climate and Geography � Warm and sunny with long summers, mild winters. Lots of rain. � Climate ideal for agriculture. � Fertile soil ideal for growing crops.
Population � Huge population increase in the North between 1800 and 1860, mostly through immigration. � Irish, German, and other Europeans mostly settle in North.	Population � Population of the South made up of Europeans (mostly from England and Scotland) and enslaved Africans. � 1/3 of the population were slaves. � Most southerners lived on small farms. � Only 1/4 of farmers owned slaves. � Large farms called plantations were owned by the wealthy few who owned most of the slaves.
Cities � Cities develop in North as centers of trade. � Factories were set up making textiles (cloth goods) � Increase in factory work brought more people to live in the cities. � Cities were crowded and dirty. � Public education begun in cities for first time. � Cities became important centers of art, culture, and education. Many city newspapers begun.	Cities � Most southerners lived on farms. � There were very few large cities. � Plantations were self-sufficient and became like small towns. (Self-sufficient means being able to supply all of your needs.)
Economy � The economy of the North was based on manufacturing. � Many immigrants from Europe began working in factories and producing goods used by people in the North. � Many factories began producing textiles (cloth) with the cotton grown in the South.	Economy � The economy of the South was based on agriculture. � Cotton, tobacco, rice, sugar cane, and indigo (a plant that was used for blue dye) were sold as cash crops. � Cotton became the most important crop after Ely Whitney�s invention of the cotton gin. � More slaves were now needed to pick the cotton. � Slavery became essential to the South�s economy.
Culture � The culture of the North was determined by life in the cities. � Both religion and education were organized. � There were schools and churches in most towns. � Very few boys, and almost no girls went on to secondary school. � College was reserved for the wealthy.	Culture � The culture of the South was determined by the upper class plantation owners and their families. � Only children of plantation owners received any education. � Small farmers had little or no education. � The culture of the South revolved around plantation life.
Transportation � Canals were mostly in the North. � The Erie Canal was a huge success. � Most of the railroads were in the North. � 30,000 miles of track was laid by 1850. � Canals and railroads allowed northern businesses to grow.	Transportation � The South was still dependent on the steamship. � Railroads existed, but far less than in the North.