The North and South emerged as two distinct regions because of their various differences. The main contrasting features are included in the geography and climate, economy, and transportation of each territory. Using details from Chapters 8 and 9 of “Discovering Our Past: The American Journey” by Glencoe, this essay will explore those characteristics of the North and South. To start with, the North and South had drastically contrasting geography and climate. The source explains that in the northern areas of the United States, “...soil was poor, and farming was difficult.(p.
One of the most striking differences between the North and the South was the climate and geography. In the North, there were multiple rivers and streams. In “Discovering Our Past The American Journey” chapter 8, section one “Economic Growth,” it states “These provided the waterpower necessary to run the machinery in the new factories.” This was clearly a big helped since the rivers and streams were what kept the factories moving. Also, the North was filled with ports. In chapter 8, section one “Economic Growth” it states “Through these ports passed the cotton shipped from Southern states to New England factories, as well as the finished cloth produced in the North and bound for markets throughout the nation.” These
However, both the North and South had the same aspirations for development in the West as new opportunities became available. As the railroad connected the two allowing for travel to large cities, giving those who lived in small towns or rural areas a desire to marvel at the innovative technologies and luxuries to purchase. The advancement of the railroad into the West brought new lands to settle for former slaves seeking to escape the racial discrimination in the South and the Mormons who faced persecution in the North. Discrimination and persecution were present in both the North and the South as the regions struggled to redefine their culture in the aftermath of the Civil
After the creation of the 13 colonies, these colonies were divided into three regions which were New England, Middle Colonies, and Southern Colonies. Amongst the three regions, there were many differences. The three major differences amongst the three different regions were based upon the government, geography, and economy Each region had different ways of governing each colony.
This is why slavery was so much more common in the South than the North. The South had large plantations that require physical labor compared to the North where machines could aid in the production process, such as the power loom (Woods,
The cotton gin triggered the South to use slaves in the fields, causing a huge transformation in the cotton industry. The growth of slavery rose drastically. African countries would sell thousands of slaves to the South. Soon, the South’s economy would depend entirely on slavery to grow their cotton industry. However, the North was based on manufacturing.
The drastic differences between the two groups eventually transformed America into a divided nation of sectionalism economically, politically, and socially. Westward expansion had an economical impact on the North and South’s separation in many ways. For every set of land gained, one would be a free state and the other a slave state. The South used its gained land for agricultural improvement, while the North constructed factories and manufacturing buildings to strengthen its industrial economy. Although expansion gave America more opportunities and potential economic growth, expansion also affected the relationship between the North and the South: both groups disputed over several U.S.
The geography and climate of the North and South are completely different. Let’s start with the North. Northern states had hot and humid summers while having frigid winters. The land was rocky and infertile, making it unsuitable for farming. As such, most food came from the South and was imported in.
Particularly, cotton had become by far the most important commodity in international trade, as the Old South supplied around three-fourths of the world’s cotton. The largest countries, such as Great Britain, France and Russia depended on this supply. Furthermore, it was cotton capital that allowed the US to pay for imported manufactured goods manufactured goods. However, slave-based manufacturing also led to the appearance of a huge gap between South and North, because South with its slaveholders and slaves remained rather agrarian than industrial territory, because slavery was limiting the growth of industry, discouraging immigrants from entering the region, and inhibiting technological progress. Consequently, slavery had a huge impact on American economic
The U.S. civil war from 1861 to 1865 is a great example to explain the economic factors which lead to war. The economic difference between the North and South led to war. With the invention of cotton gin on March, 14th, 1794 by Eli Whitney, the cotton gin made the south industry salary explode. (Rosenberg, J. (n.d.).