The antebellum era, also known as the antebellum south, is a period of history in the south of the United States before the American Civil War in the late 18th century. The era was characterized by tremendous economic growth in the southern region with notable successes in the agricultural sector. Additionally, the elite master class, which comprised of wealthy planters, had political influence in federal operations and various economic activities. The group set their own standards of honor and gentility that shaped the region’s culture. However, the political and economic successes heavily relied on slavery in its various forms, and this sparked social movements calling for abolition and moral reforms.
Slavery during the antebellum period was introduced due to the high demand for cheap labor in plantations during harvest seasons. The practice was seen as a means of boosting the economy’s growth in a quick yet cost-effective way. Moreover, the cotton gin’s invention in the 18th century encouraged slavery as it used free labor to run the large plantation system. The maintenance of this approach to agriculture relied on slavery because it was readily available and cheap and was still functional without skilled management. Even though the south was succeeding in agriculture, the manufacturing sector experienced slow growth, and the elites viewed slavery as the solution to the imbalance.
Consequently, the immoral profitable business led to the rise of abolitionists in the region, both from the black and white communities who stood against slavery. The campaigns, which initially started on religious grounds, quickly turned into a controversial political issue that sparked debates and deadly confrontations between slavery supporters and critics. The divisiveness fueled by abolitionists in the south spread to other parts of the United States. Eventually, it led to the Civil War, which marked the elimination of slavery in the country.