Between 1800 and 1860, several significant changes occurred in the South's plantation crops, labor system, defense of slavery, and elite planter lifestyle.
Plantation crops: The most significant change was the expansion of cotton cultivation. Cotton became the dominant crop in the South, surpassing tobacco and other crops in importance. This was due to the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, which made it easier to process cotton and increased the demand for it.
Labor system: The labor system in the South also changed during this time period. As cotton cultivation expanded, the demand for enslaved labor also increased. This led to the forced migration of enslaved people from the Upper South to the Lower South to work on cotton plantations.
Defense of slavery: The defense of slavery also evolved during this time period. In the early 1800s, many Southerners argued that slavery was a necessary evil and that it would eventually die out. However, by the mid-1800s, the defense of slavery became more aggressive, with pro-slavery advocates arguing that it was a positive good and that it was essential to the South's economy and way of life.
Elite planter lifestyle: The lifestyle of the elite planters also changed during this time period. As cotton cultivation expanded, many planters became very wealthy, and they used their wealth to build grand plantations and to live a lavish lifestyle. They also became increasingly politically powerful and played a dominant role in the politics of the South.
Overall, the period between 1800 and 1860 was a time of significant change in the South, with the expansion of cotton cultivation, the growth of the enslaved labor force, the evolution of the defense of slavery, and the rise of a wealthy and powerful elite planter class.