{"product_id":"unredeemed-land-an-environmental-history-of-civil-war-and-emancipation-in-the-cotton-south-9780197563441","title":"Unredeemed Land: An Environmental History of Civil War and Emancipation in the Cotton South","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eThe Civil War and the emancipation of four million slaves reconfigure the natural landscape in the South and the farming economy dependent upon it, leading to the postbellum collapse of the region's subsistence economy and the expansion of cotton production. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 258 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 04 April 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Oxford University Press Inc\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Civil War and the emancipation of four million slaves in the South had a significant impact on the natural landscape and the farming economy that depended on it. The region's reliance on slave-based agriculture required extensive land use techniques, fresh soil, and a large workforce. However, the wartime destruction and the rise of the contract labor system closed off these possibilities, leading to the adoption of increasingly intensive cultivation methods that were detrimental to the environment. This disconnect between farmers' use of the land and what the natural environment could support intensified the economic dislocation of freed people, poor farmers, and sharecroppers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eErin Stewart Mauldin's book, \"Unredeemed Land: The Environmental History of the Civil War and the Rise of Cotton,\" explores how the Civil War and emancipation accelerated ongoing ecological change in ways that hastened the postbellum collapse of the region's subsistence economy. It also encourages the expansion of cotton production and ultimately keeps cotton farmers trapped in a cycle of debt and tenancy. This book is the first environmental history to bridge the antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction periods, and it powerfully examines the ways military conflict and emancipation left enduring ecological legacies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Civil War and the emancipation of slaves in the South led to significant changes in the natural landscape. The extensive land use techniques required for slave-based agriculture, such as clearing forests and draining wetlands, destroyed much of the region's natural habitat. This destruction exacerbated the economic dislocation of freed people, poor farmers, and sharecroppers, who were already struggling to adapt to the post-war economy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe rise of the contract labor system also had a detrimental impact on the environment. The use of cheap labor and the lack of investment in land and equipment led to the over-exploitation of the land and the depletion of natural resources. This, in turn, led to soil erosion, water pollution, and the loss of biodiversity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFurthermore, the Civil War and emancipation accelerated ongoing ecological change in ways that hastened the postbellum collapse of the region's subsistence economy. The destruction of the land and the depletion of natural resources made it difficult for farmers to produce enough food to support their families and communities. This, in turn, led to a decline in agricultural productivity and a rise in food prices, which further exacerbated the economic dislocation of freed people and poor farmers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe environmental legacy of the Civil War and emancipation is still felt today. The region's soils are still depleted, and its water resources are still polluted. The loss of biodiversity has had a significant impact on the region's ecosystem, and many species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo address the environmental legacy of the Civil War and emancipation, it is important to promote sustainable agriculture practices and to invest in the restoration of the region's natural habitat. This can include the implementation of conservation measures, such as the creation of protected areas and the restoration of wetlands and forests. It can also include the promotion of sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and the use of organic fertilizers and pesticides.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn addition, it is important to address the economic dislocation of freed people and poor farmers. This can include the provision of education and training programs to help them develop new skills and start their own businesses. It can also include the implementation of social safety net programs, such as food stamps and unemployment insurance, to help them cope with the economic challenges they face.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall, the Civil War and the emancipation of four million slaves in the South had a significant impact on the natural landscape and the farming economy. The resulting environmental degradation and economic dislocation have left a lasting legacy that continues to affect the region today. By promoting sustainable agriculture practices and investing in the restoration of the region's natural habitat, we can work to address the environmental legacy of the Civil War and emancipation and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for the South.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 382g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 156 x 233 x 18 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9780197563441\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Erin StewartMauldin","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44100484792570,"sku":"9780197563441","price":23.31,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1650021264186_book.jpg?v=1650048067","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/unredeemed-land-an-environmental-history-of-civil-war-and-emancipation-in-the-cotton-south-9780197563441","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}