1. Compare and contrast economic, social, and political developments in the North and South between 1800 and 1860. How do you account for the divergence between the two sections?
2. Discuss the white social structure of the Old South. How egalitarian was it? What social classes or groups existed? What was their relationship to each other and to the institution of slavery?
3. The great majority of white southerners never owned a single slave, yet the majority supported the institution of slavery. Write an essay explaining why.
4. Was slavery in the South essentially a paternalistic institution in which most slaves were treated reasonably well, or was it primarily an exploitative institution? Back up your conclusions by citing as much evidence as possible.
5. Discuss the emergence of African-American culture in the Old South. In what ways did it draw on African experiences? In what ways did it incorporate the American slave experience? How did it differ from white southern culture and values?