Analysis Of Ordeal By Fire: The Civil War

Beginning in the nineteenth century, America rapidly modernized to catch up with other developing nations in the world. All throughout America, individuals developed breakthrough methods in food production, infrastructure, and equipment. In Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction, James McPherson argues that while both the north and the south made advancements and contributed to modernization in America, the north developed. The south relied on an agricultural economic system, while the north relied on a manufacturing economic system. Although the north and the south had different ideologies, they shared the same desire of economic stability and growth. While McPherson provides statistics and other evidence about the improvements modernization had on Americans lives, he fails to mention the people in factories or plantations that made modernization possible. …show more content…
Stevenson argues that as slaveholders invested in the slave industry and plantations in order to increase their profits and grow their economy, they redefine the definition of family for the African American community. Sarah Ford, a former slave, recounted that, “Uncle Big Jake sho’ work de slaves from early mornin’ till night. When you is in de field you better no lag non…Massa Charles run dat plantation jus’ like a factory.” Ford’s account of plantation work demonstrates that the north and the south competed to dominate the American economy. Moreover, southerner plantation owners did not see African Americans as people, they viewed them as machines intended to produce as much profit as possible. Contrary to northerners, southerners viewed their agricultural society as equally effective as northerners’ industrious based

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