Life in the North
Prior to the Civil War
Political Structures
- Whig/Republican political party
- careers in business, medicine, and education were most respected in the north
- white males were well respected in society
- politics was a larger part of society in the north than in the south
- helped the working class feel like they are an important asset to society
Social Structures
- larger population than the south
- higher standard of living than Europe and the south
- material possessions were important
- opportunities available
- skilled and unskilled workers
- large expectation placed on kids
- the dream was to save enough money to move west
- family life changed because of the move from farm to city
- family became decreasingly important because less time was spent at home
- women's job was to bare children and keep the house clean
- legal and political rights were given to men
- dad ruled the family
- wife beating not uncommon
- divorce was an option and the women never got custody of the children
- education not as widely available for women after elementary school
- women were consumers not producers
- female culture formed and friendships between them rose causing female literature to emerge
- lower classes worked in factories with horrible conditions
- birth rate decline
- abortions and abstinence increased
- immigrants shunned in society
Economic Structures
- industry most important for economy
- railroads and other forms of transportation
- port cities
- iron and steel production
- wealthier than the south
- exporting and importing
- relied on trade
- factories
- more abundant natural resources than the south caused industry to flourish
- relied on immigrants for labor instead of slaves