The Roots of Southern Distinctiveness: Tobacco and Society in Danville, Virginia, 1780-1865

by Frederick F. Siegel

Overview

Using Danville, Virginia, which was dominated by planter-entrepreneurs and tobacco, as an example, Siegel refutes traditional arguments that the South's retarded development was caused by the Civil War. Comparing Danville and it surrounding county with a similar county in Virginia, a successful wheat and dairy county, he demonstrates that the Danville region's monocultures, products of the South's peculiar climate and soils, were responsible for its economic underdevelopment.

Originally published in 1987.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807865958
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	03/01/2011
Edition description:	1
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Using Danville as a case study, Siegel proposes a startling reinterpretation of the history of southern agriculture before the Civil War. The book is certain to be viewed as a major contribution to the debate over the impact of slavery on southern development.—Eric Foner

Editorial Reviews

"Using Danville as a case study, Siegel proposes a startling reinterpretation of the history of southern agriculture before the Civil War. The book is certain to be viewed as a major contribution to the debate over the impact of slavery on southern development."—Eric Foner

From the Publisher