Describe the impacts that cotton had on the political and economic relationship between the Up and Low Country as well as their differing views on the United States Constitution.(5 points)
1) Economic Impact: Cotton transformed the economic relationship between the Up and Low Country in the United States. The Low Country, particularly the southern states like South Carolina and Georgia, became the center of cotton cultivation and production. The success of cotton as a cash crop led to a thriving plantation economy, marked by large-scale slave labor and immense profits. This economic boom in the Low Country created a stark contrast with the Up Country, which primarily relied on small-scale farming and subsistence agriculture. The economic divide between the two regions deepened, leading to political tensions.
2) Political Impact: The economic success of cotton in the Low Country brought significant political power to the southern elite who owned and controlled the cotton plantations. These wealthy cotton planters played a dominant role in shaping the political landscape of the United States, advocating for policies that protected their economic interests, such as the preservation of slavery. They had a strong influence in state governments and were able to shape legislation in their favor. This political power and influence further widened the gap between the two regions.
3) Constitution Views - Low Country: In the Low Country, particularly among the southern states, there was support for a loose interpretation of the United States Constitution. The southern elite believed that the federal government should have limited powers and that states' rights should be protected. They saw the Constitution as a compact among independent states, with the federal government serving as a mere agent of the states. This view allowed the southern states to defend and protect their economic interests, including the institution of slavery.
4) Constitution Views - Up Country: In contrast, the Up Country tended to support a more strict interpretation of the Constitution. They believed in a stronger federal government that could regulate trade, protect individual rights, and promote economic development. The Up Country residents saw the Constitution as a document that created a unified nation with a strong central government that had the power to make important decisions that affected the entire country. They were less concerned with protecting states' rights and were more open to changes in national policies.
5) Conflict and Compromise: These differing views on the Constitution, driven by the economic divide between the two regions, led to significant political conflict. The Low Country states, with their economic and political dominance, often clashed with the Up Country states over issues such as tariffs, internal improvements, and the expansion of slavery. However, compromises were reached to maintain the delicate balance between the two regions. For example, the Three-Fifths Compromise, which counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for both representation and taxation purposes, was reached to placate the Low Country and preserve the Union.