Chapter 4 Antebellum Mississippi Society

1. Chapter 4 Antebellum Mississippi Society Economy -The economy was good during the antebellum period. Land was cheap and cotton prices were high. Banks issued paper money far in excess of the specie (Which was gold and silver) in their vaults. This time of prosperity will soon come to an end due to Jackson’s policies. -Jackson fought a political battle against the? Second Bank of the U.S. -Where did Jackson have all the federal government’s funds withdrawn and transferred to? “pet banks” -Many of these state banks increased the amount of paper money in circulation. This stimulated the economy. But many bank notes were worth less than their face value because the banks did not have enough specie to back them up.

2. Economy Cont. -What two actions made by the federal government brought he good times to an end? The Specie Circular of 1836 required government land had to be paid with specie rather than paper money. Also the Distribution Act required surplus money in the federal treasury be paid to the states in specie. But when the “pet banks” could not provide the gold and silver, this caused the banks to? Collapse, The Panic of 1837 led to? The depression of 1837-1841. -How did the depression hit MS? The federal government took back land bought on credit, cotton prices were down, banks disappeared, Bonds were no longer valid, state officials cashed paychecks for less than face value. Property owners lost their lands because they couldn’t pay taxes.

3. Transportation -Why was travel and communication within the state of MS slow and difficult? Because the roads were dirt that were either dusty or muddy paths that were rutted. A wagon usually averaged only 20 miles a day. -What carried cotton and other goods on the MS River and other smaller rivers? Steamboats -What made transportation of goods over land much easier in MS? Railroads -What was the first stage railroads were used for? Built to bring cotton to a river port. -What was the second stage railroads were used for? When small railroads combined into the main lines which joined major cities in the nation.

4. Education -Public education developed slowly in MS due to the lack of money that the state counties had to spend. -Parents had to pay tuition for their children to tend schools. -What were the school terms like during this time period? Short, lasted about 3 months, only time to teach the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. -Higher education was the responsibility of private and religious organizations. List some of the early colleges of the antebellum period in MS? Jefferson College, Washington, an Oakland College, and the University of Mississippi. -The U of M was in operation by 1848. Why did the college close during the Civil War? Because several hundred students and faculty enlisted in the Confederate army. -What was the name of the regiment that consisted of Confederate Soldiers from the University of Mississippi? The University Greys