Northern and Southern cultures

Northern & Southern Cultures

American society and culture before and after the American Revolution and Reconstruction Period was characterized by the growing schism between the North and the South. Early into the country's Reconstruction period after the American Revolution, Americans were challenged to unite as a nation to further the strength of its independence. Unfortunately, growing differences in the politics and economy of the North and the South created a divide, which from the outset seemed to be primarily political, but eventually emerged as rooted from geographic and economic differences.

The North and the South are known for their political views about the slavery system, which ultimately became a critical social problem after the Revolution as there had been a growing clamor for independence and equality for all, including the black African slaves and their families and descendants. It is this growing pressure to give credence to their independence and inevitably abolish the slavery system led to a political conflict between the two regions. This political conflict developed in the Northern region its image and political stance as generally abolitionists of the slavery system, while South maintained the slavery system as its main source of economic growth, and therefore was known for its pro-slavery stance. This difference led to a standstill in American society's attempt at nation building, later brewing into a civil rights movement that eventually led to the complete emancipation of black slaves / African-Americans.

It is apparent that the abolitionist movement assumed a more favorable and moral political view with its anti-slavery sentiments. The South dealt with numerous criticisms and went down in American history as the "oppressor" that favored slavery because of its economic benefits more than the recognition of human rights, equality and independence. It is apparent, then, that the North embodies the new America more than the South.

But this popular belief has deep roots that stem before the American Revolution, and actually began as the new colonies, which eventually became states, are establishing themselves as new societies and cultures in the new territory that would eventually become the United States of America. Agriculture was the main source of economic growth among the new states, but this industry only flourished in the South, as its soil was more appropriate for agriculture. The North had to explore new industries which could help propel its states' economic growth. And because the North is strategically located near bodies of water, it became the center of trade and immigration for the country. While the South's agricultural industry flourished through the slavery system, the North thrived with its newfound trade industry.

Indeed, the North-South divide presented a challenge to the newly independent nation. With this increasing divide and conflict came the development of distinct cultures that came to characterize each region. North is characterized by its diversity and liberal views towards human rights and equality, being a "melting pot" of different nationalities, ethnicities and cultures. South, meanwhile, is most popular by its agricultural industry, specifically its cotton fields, its subsistence to the black slavery system, and conservative culture and social environment. Geographical difference resulted to different economies in the region, and ultimately, determined the cultures cultivated and that characterized its states (Beard, 2008:133).

Harper (2003) argued that indeed, the North's decision to adopt the abolitionist stance is more a function of its economy: it was easier for the North to go against black slavery because it is not dependent on the system unlike the South. The South depended on agriculture for its growth as a region, and it cannot continue to flourish if the slavery system were to be abolished, as the slaves are the main source of manpower and manpower is the main generator of the South's agricultural yield. The North, then, did not have to worry about any economic downfall with the abolishment of the slavery system, unlike the South.