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I agree with you Mutiny, which I tend to do (seriously, I love your posts). But what you said of Charleston is also true of Washington until the late 1950’s.
On the notion of DC being Southern, it really depends on what you are looking at. It was undoubtedly at its most Southern in the antebellum period. The popular notion of the South and DC has diverged quite a bit since then to the point they are barely recognizable as anything beyond distantly related. Geographically remains its strongest case, but then I think Delaware even gets a geographic nod for being Southern according to the Census, so yeah. But to each their own.
As far as Maryland, I’m unsure it’s been Southern since Lincoln encircled Baltimore with cannons. Being on the wrong side of the Baptist line and not doing bbq for ship doesn’t help. But if it makes you feel better to call it Southern, go ahead. The rest of the country will not.
I agree with you Mutiny, which I tend to do (seriously, I love your posts). But what you said of Charleston is also true of Washington until the late 1950’s.
Washington wasn't a big landing spot for immigrants either, not in the way Philly, NYC, Boston, or even Baltimore were, so I definitely agree with you there. DC had immigrant communities but they weren't all that big since DC doesn't have a history of industry like the actual mid-Atlantic/Northern port cities. I think one of the biggest indicators of DC's--and Baltimore's--status as border cities is the fact that both had large native Black populations before the mid-20th century AND they were also big magnets for Blacks from points south during the Great Migration.
And I appreciate the compliment and I can say the same for your posts.
Washington wasn't a big landing spot for immigrants either, not in the way Philly, NYC, Boston, or even Baltimore were, so I definitely agree with you there. DC had immigrant communities but they weren't all that big since DC doesn't have a history of industry like the actual mid-Atlantic/Northern port cities. I think one of the biggest indicators of DC's--and Baltimore's--status as border cities is the fact that both had large native Black populations before the mid-20th century AND they were also big magnets for Blacks from points south during the Great Migration.
And I appreciate the compliment and I can say the same for your posts.
I agree. Most immigrants in the Mid-Atlantic region went to Richmond and Baltimore. Especially Jewish immigrants. Historically, Richmond had the forth highest Jewish population in the country. This was even higher than Baltimore. Richmond still has a larger jewish population than New Orleans today.
Richmond and Virginia have always been very industrial. This was the main attraction for immigrants in the area. Historically, Virginia has had more industry than all of the south combined. Most of this industry was in Richmond. While Birmingham did stand out as an industrial powerhouse, it was not all that comparable to Richmond. Baltimore is a good comparison though. Especially in terms of industry.
Charleston? Not really. I mean it had more than most with its early reputation for religious tolerance (eg, French Huguenots) and one of the first Jewish communities in the South, but not much beyond that. New Orleans is the best example of a city with large amounts of immigrants early on in what is now considered the traditional South.
Savannah drew a lot of Irish immigrants in the 1800s and into the early 1900s.
Savannah drew a lot of Irish immigrants in the 1800s and into the early 1900s.
I'm aware. That's why it has such a big St. Patrick's Day parade. But New Orleans and Baltimore were easily the top landing spots for immigrants in the South during that era.
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