Southern Tiers Organizer Southern Tiers Organizer
9th Grade Social Studies
Student Name
Date
Instructions
As you watch the video and participate in the lesson, fill out the chart below. This information will be used to construct your 4-tier social pyramid anchor chart. Focus on identifying the key differences in population, wealth, and their specific connection to the system of slavery.
Social Tier
Population (Est.)
Economic Status
Relationship to Slavery
Planters (Wealthy Elite)
Yeoman Farmers (Small Landowners)
Poor Whites (Landless/Subsistence)
Enslaved People (Chattel)
Key Reflection:
Why did white Southerners who owned no slaves (Yeoman farmers and Poor Whites) still support the system of slavery?
Southern Tiers Slides Southern Tiers
Hierarchy in the Antebellum South
9th Grade Social Studies
Warm-Up: Myth or Fact?
"The majority of white Southerners owned slaves during the Antebellum period."
A
Fact
B
Myth
Slavery in the South
Embedded media
Watch & Listen For:
The role of "Yeoman Farmers"
Slave ownership statistics
Ways people resisted dehumanization
Segment 1: 2:32 - 3:18 | Segment 2: 7:59 - 9:17
Activity: The Social Pyramid
You will work in groups to create an Anchor Chart depicting the social hierarchy of the South.
Your Chart Must Include:
4-Tier Pyramid Design
Population Estimates (%)
Economic Characteristics
Relationship to Slavery
Planters
Yeoman Farmers
Poor Whites
Enslaved People
Closure Discussion
"Why did poor whites who owned no slaves still support the system of slavery?"
Aspiration
Social Status
Racism
Southern Tiers Teacher Guide Southern Tiers Teacher Guide
Hierarchy in the Antebellum South
Teacher Resource
Duration
45 Minutes
Grade Level
9th Grade Social Studies
Key Vocabulary
Antebellum, Yeoman Farmer, Paternalism, Chattel
Instructional Sequence
5 MIN
Warm-up: Myth or Fact
Display the statement: "Most white Southerners owned slaves." Have students vote True/False.
TEACHER KEY:
Myth. Only about 25% of Southern families owned slaves in 1860. The majority were Yeoman farmers or poor whites.
10 MIN
Video Viewing: Crash Course US History #13
Watch the following segments carefully. Students should use their Southern Tiers Organizer to take notes.
2:32 - 3:18: Demographics and Ownership
7:59 - 9:17: Dehumanization and Resistance
20 MIN
Main Activity: Social Pyramid Anchor Charts
Divide students into groups of 3-4. Provide each group with large chart paper and markers. They must translate their notes into a visual social pyramid.
Content Requirements
Hierarchical Order (Planters at top)
Population percentages for each tier
Economic descriptions
Relationship to Slavery
Planters: Control & Wealth
Yeoman/Poor: Status & Aspiration
Enslaved: Victims & Resistance
10 MIN
Closure: The "Whiteness" Solidarity
Discuss: "Why did poor whites who owned no slaves support the system?"
Focus points: Legal status above enslaved people, the "aspirational" goal of owning slaves, and the racist ideology that unified whites across economic classes.
Answer Key / Pyramid Data
1. Planters
Pop: ~4% of white population. Econ: Owned 20+ slaves, controlled best land. Status: Political/Social leaders.
2. Yeoman Farmers
Pop: Majority of whites. Econ: Owned small farms (0-5 slaves). Status: Self-sufficient, valued independence.
3. Poor Whites
Pop: Significant minority (~25%). Econ: Landless or farmed poorest soil. Status: Often looked down upon by Planters.
4. Enslaved People
Pop: ~4 million (1/3 of total pop). Econ: Legal property (chattel). Status: Systematically dehumanized.
Southern Tiers Anchor Chart Template Anchor Chart Template
Social Hierarchy of the Antebellum South
PLANTERS
Population: ~4% of white population
The "Elite" 1% who held political power and owned 20+ slaves.
YEOMAN FARMERS
Population: The Majority
Independent small farmers who owned their land and few to no slaves.
POOR WHITES
Status: Landless or subsistence farmers
Shared "White Solidarity" with elite to feel superior to enslaved people.
ENSLAVED PEOPLE
Population: 4 Million (1/3 of total population)
Legally defined as property; maintained humanity through family and faith.
Anchor Chart Design Tips
Color Coding
Use different colors for each tier to make the hierarchy stand out visually.
Visual Cues
Add small icons (e.g., a cotton boll for Planters, a family for Enslaved resistance).
Bold Titles
Make sure the names of the tiers are readable from across the room.
Data Check
Ensure the size of each tier roughly represents the size of its population.
