The Northern and Southern States — Reading Comprehension

The United States grew quickly in the 1800s. The Northern and Southern states became very different. In the North, many people moved to cities and worked in factories. These factories made goods like clothes and tools. The North had cold winters and short growing seasons, so most farms were small.

In the South, most people lived in the countryside. They worked on large farms called plantations. The warm weather and long growing season helped crops like cotton and tobacco grow well. Many plantations used the labor of enslaved people. Slavery was a very important issue. People in the North and South had different ideas about whether it should continue.

Leaders tried to solve these problems. Some people spoke out against slavery. They were called abolitionists. Frederick Douglass, who escaped from slavery, said, "If there is no struggle, there is no progress." Others in the South wanted to keep slavery. These differences caused conflict between the two regions.

As time went on, the differences grew. The North’s factories and railroads grew fast. The South depended on farming and slave labor. In 1861, these problems led to the start of the Civil War. This war was fought to decide the future of slavery and the nation.

After years of fighting, the North won. Slavery ended, and the country began to heal. People worked to rebuild and unite the nation.

Interesting Fact: Eli Whitney’s cotton gin made cotton easier to clean, which helped the South grow more cotton—but it also led to more slavery on plantations.

Where did most Northern people work?

What crop grew well in the South?

Who was Frederick Douglass?

Why did conflict grow between North and South?

Why did the Civil War start?

What happened after the North won?

The North had more factories. True or false?

What does 'abolitionist' mean?