Life for most white southerners in the South during the mid-19th century was challenging. The majority of them were small farmers, laborers, or artisans who owned little or no property. They worked hard to make a living and often struggled to provide for their families. Many lived in poverty and had little access to education or healthcare.
The Civil War caused significant disruption to their lives, with many men leaving their families to fight for the Confederacy. The war also led to shortages of food and other essential goods, and many families struggled to survive. The Union Army's occupation of the South after the war added to their difficulties, as they faced economic hardship and social upheaval.
The period of Reconstruction that followed the war brought some improvements for white southerners, such as the expansion of public education and the establishment of a more diverse economy. However, Reconstruction also brought political and social changes that many white southerners resisted, such as the granting of civil and political rights to African Americans.
Overall, life for most white southerners in the South during this period was marked by hardship, uncertainty, and challenges. They faced economic and social challenges, as well as political changes that challenged their traditional way of life.