Emma Clarke Chp. 16 The South & The Slavery Controversy Significance and results of the cotton gin Drastically increased the speed of separating cotton from the plant Increased the need for slavery Characteristics of the social classes of the South Planters: Many slaves 10% of population Small farmers: Majority of Southerners May or may not own slaves Poor whites: 8% of population Subsistence farmers Defended slavery the most That way they wouldn?t be the lowest class in society African Americans: ?Free? blacks ? million by 1860 Lived in mostly border states Limited rights Slaves: 75% worked on plantations and farms Families separated Beaten when not working to overseer?s standards Characteristics of the plantation economy Living conditions for free black people in the North