Upper South

Definition

The Upper South refers to the region of the southern United States that includes states like Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas. This area was characterized by a mix of agriculture and industry, with a significant reliance on slave labor but less so than the Deep South. Its economy was more diverse and played a crucial role in shaping the social and political dynamics leading up to the Civil War.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Upper South had a more diversified economy compared to the Deep South, producing not only cotton but also tobacco, wheat, and livestock.
2. In 1860, the Upper South contained some key border states that remained in the Union during the Civil War, playing a critical role in the conflict's dynamics.
3. While slavery was prevalent in the Upper South, it was less entrenched than in the Deep South, leading to differing social structures and economic dependencies.
4. The Upper South was more industrialized than its southern counterparts, with cities like Richmond becoming centers of industry and commerce before the Civil War.
5. The political leadership in the Upper South was often more moderate regarding secession compared to leaders in the Deep South, which affected how these states responded to tensions with the North.

Review Questions

• How did the economic structure of the Upper South differ from that of the Deep South and what implications did these differences have on their social systems?
  • The Upper South's economy was more diversified than that of the Deep South, focusing not only on cotton but also on tobacco and livestock. This diversification resulted in a less rigid social hierarchy compared to the Deep South's plantation system. As a result, while both regions relied on slavery, the Upper South had a more varied economic base that influenced its social structures and political attitudes toward issues like secession.
• Discuss how the Upper South's political leadership impacted its stance on secession during the lead-up to the Civil War.
  • Political leaders in the Upper South often exhibited a more moderate stance on secession compared to their counterparts in the Deep South. Many leaders were reluctant to sever ties with the Union due to their more diverse economies and connections to Northern markets. This hesitance created internal conflicts within these states as they navigated pressures from both pro-Union and pro-secession factions, ultimately affecting their decisions during the Civil War.
• Evaluate how events leading up to the Civil War shaped the identity of the Upper South and its eventual role in the conflict.
  • Events like John Brown's raid at Harpers Ferry and rising tensions over issues like slavery and states' rights highlighted divisions within the Upper South. The region's unique economic and social fabric fostered a distinct identity that resisted full alignment with radical secessionist sentiments seen in the Deep South. However, as pressure mounted following Lincoln's election and subsequent calls for troops after Fort Sumter, many states in the Upper South felt compelled to join in secession, ultimately impacting their roles as battlegrounds during key moments of the Civil War.

Related terms

Deep South:

The region of the southern United States known for its heavy reliance on plantation agriculture and slavery, encompassing states like South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia.

Cotton Economy: An economic system centered around the cultivation of cotton, which became the dominant cash crop in the southern states during the 19th century, particularly in the Deep South.

Secession:

The act of withdrawing formally from a federation or body, particularly referring to the withdrawal of Southern states from the Union prior to and during the Civil War.