New masters
northern planters during the Civil War and Reconstruction
Lawrence N. Powell
253 pages | ~7 hrs
New masters
northern planters during the Civil War and Reconstruction
By Lawrence N. Powell
Lawrence N. Powell presents a compelling examination of a pivotal yet overlooked chapter in American history, exploring how thousands of Northern entrepreneurs ventured South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era to reshape an entire region's economic foundation.
Drawing from extensive research into the records of over five hundred Northern planters, Powell reveals the complex motivations and experiences of these "new masters" who sought to transform the defeated Confederacy into a free labor society. These twenty to fifty thousand emigrants carried with them not only capital and ambition, but also deeply held beliefs about work, progress, and social transformation.
The narrative uncovers a profound irony at the heart of Reconstruction: while these Northern planters intended to modernize the South and eliminate its plantation-based servitude, their financial investments often helped perpetuate the very system they sought to change. Yet simultaneously, their presence sparked genuine revitalization efforts that would reshape Southern society.
Powell's analysis delves into the human dimensions of this historical moment, examining race relations, investment patterns, and the gradual disillusionment these planters faced as their idealistic visions collided with harsh realities. The work illuminates how personal motivations, work habits, and economic pressures intersected with larger social forces during one of America's most transformative periods.
This study offers valuable insights into the complexities of social change and the unintended consequences that often accompany well-intentioned reform efforts.
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore SOCIAL SCIENCE
- ✓ Explore Southern states, history
- ✓ Explore Anthropology
- ✓ Explore Agriculture, united states, history
- ✓ Explore Public Policy
- ✓ Explore Cotton growing
- ✓ Explore African americans, southern states
- ✓ Explore Histoire
Topics
Details
- Published
- 1998
- Publisher
- Fordham University Press
- ISBN-10
- 0823218937
- Pages
- 253
- Language
- EN
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