Most important states to Southern culture. (transplants, school, college)
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Which states do you feel are most integral to Southern culture and what it means to be culturally southern? Both historically, culturally, musically, gastronomically, etc.
Is it Alabama because it's spot today as a college football powerhouse?
Is it Virginia because it's historical/military contributions to the South?
Is it Louisiana because of it's gastronomical contributions?
Is it South Carolina because it's badass beaches?
Is it Georgia because it's of Atlanta economic power?
Is it Tennessee because of it's musical contributions?
What state makes the South..."The South" to you....Which is the most important.
**Not sure if this has been "done" or not...but nevertheless I'm sure a ton of people will have their opinions.***
Last edited by wnewberry22; 01-16-2013 at 09:43 AM..
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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I've been to TN, NC, SC, GA, VA, and FL and South Carolina felt the most Southern to me. It wasn't the badass beaches (not sure how that makes it Southern and NC has equally as nice if not better beaches, Outer Banks are my favorite), SC just has a more palpable old school conservative and Southern feel to it. I haven't been to the deep south yet (AL/MS/LA) and I'd bet they'd compete, but out of the Atlantic southern states SC is the most Southern for sure politically and also the plantations I had seen outside Charleston. Charleston itself is a good representation of the Old South, along with the woodlands in upstate SC where it feels less impacted by Northern transplants.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 01-16-2013 at 09:56 AM..
I agree with South Carolina. NC, Ga, and VA are the 'New South'...transplants have forever changed the character of the aforementioned. They still have their parts where you know you are in the south, but not as a whole.
2nd place would go to Mississippi then 3rd to Alabama.
I've been to TN, NC, SC, GA, VA, and FL and South Carolina felt the most Southern to me. It wasn't the badass beaches (not sure how that makes it Southern and NC has equally as nice if not better beaches, Outer Banks are my favorite), SC just has a more palpable old school conservative and Southern feel to it. I haven't been to the deep south yet (AL/MS/LA) and I'd bet they'd compete, but out of the Atlantic southern states SC is the most Southern for sure politically and also the plantations I had seen outside Charleston, and Charleston itself is a good representation of the Old South, along with the woodlands in upstate SC where it feels less impacted by Northern transplants.
Yeah you're probably right about the beaches thing with SC. I grew up in the Tri Cities area of TN/VA and when anyone mentioned SC in any context it was in reference to Myrtle Beach which I guess is what distorts my image of the state.
Not Texas (Texans have their own independent culture that has Southern influences, but is indeed distinctively Texan), Not Florida (save Panhandle), Not Atlanta metropolitan area, and Not Virginia (as of 2012), Not Louisiana (own distinct Creole and Cajun culture, again, with Southern influences but its own distinct culture that is independent from the South. And they are also too French, too Catholic to be aligned with Southern Culture).
Everywhere else is important to Southern Culture.
Last edited by surfer778; 01-16-2013 at 10:01 AM..
I'm sure it's just because I'm a Virginian by birth but I still think that, despite it's transitioning demographics, it is one of the most important Southern states to the culture of what the South is today. You can't talk about really any unique southern aspects (moonshine running, sweet tea, cuisine in general (excluding cajun) nascar, the confederacy, RE Lee, Country Music, College Football, religion (baptists specifically), plantations, and tobacco) that don't have STRONG ties to VA.
^
I came close to picking VA, but decided on SC due to the nature of the planation system.
SC was intended to be a sort of mainland version of a Caribbean plantation economy worked by slaves, which brought in the racial aspect of the South.
VA was originally not slave based, but used indentured servitude. So there was a bit of difference.
Not sure about tobacco. Yes a defining feature of a part of the South, but i think cotton moreso? That was not necessarily the colonial crop but came about later. Does anyone know which state adopted the cotton crop as a planation crop first, at a large scale?
^
I came close to picking VA, but decided on SC due to the nature of the planation system.
SC was intended to be a sort of mainland version of a Caribbean plantation economy worked by slaves, which brought in the racial aspect of the South.
VA was originally not slave based, but used indentured servitude. So there was a bit of difference.
Not sure about tobacco. Yes a defining feature of a part of the South, but i think cotton moreso? That was not necessarily the colonial crop but came about later. Does anyone know which state adopted the cotton crop as a planation crop first, at a large scale?
Not sure about which state adopted Cotton first. I know that cotton DOES grow in VA and NC but it's in the southeastern portions of each state. Cotton grows well in Emporia VA which is one of the most heavily african american communities in VA. NC's eastern shores can grow it as well I believe....However, Tobacco was the cash crop of the south initially which is why VA and NC were so integral in the beginnings but the profit margins for cotton were higher. Cotton grows better in the warmer, more humid climates which is why "the south moved south."
***Disclaimer: I think that information is accurate but I didn't look any of it up...just remembering from history class back in the mid 90's***
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma.
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