Which group made up the majority of white Southerners?
• planters
• capitalists
• middle class
• small farmers
To determine which group made up the majority of white Southerners, we can examine the characteristics and social structure of the antebellum South.
During the time period in question, the antebellum South, the group that made up the majority of white Southerners was small farmers. Here's how you can arrive at this conclusion:
1. Start by defining the groups mentioned:
- Planters: Wealthy individuals who owned large plantations and had significant political and social influence.
- Capitalists: Individuals who invested in various industries, such as railroads, manufacturing, and banking.
- Middle class: Individuals who held professional jobs or owned small businesses but were not as wealthy as the planters or capitalists.
- Small farmers: Individuals who owned modest amounts of land and relied on agriculture for their livelihood.
2. Consider the numerical distribution:
- While planters and capitalists were influential in the South, they constituted a relatively small proportion of the population.
- The middle class, though growing, was not as prevalent as in regions like the North.
- However, small farmers were the largest group in terms of numbers. They often owned smaller plots of land and were more self-sufficient compared to the wealthier classes.
3. Reflect on the economic structure:
- The plantation system, characterized by large-scale agricultural production (mainly cash crops like cotton), was only feasible for wealthy planters who owned extensive land and had access to enslaved labor.
- Small farmers, on the other hand, typically engaged in subsistence farming or produced crops for local markets. They usually had less reliance on enslaved labor and focused on meeting the needs of their families rather than exporting goods.
Considering these points, the majority of white Southerners during the antebellum period were small farmers. These individuals made up a larger portion of the population compared to planters, capitalists, or the middle class.