The new and old south

Prior to the Civil War, the white southerners lived a life of luxury and became completely ignorant to the world around them due to their false sense of security. The wealthy plantation owners and their families would spend their days attending evening balls and group gatherings, while the slaves worked long and hard hours in the fields. When their was news of a civil war beginning between the southern states and the northern states, the south's arrogance led them to be unprepared for what was in store for their people. Besides dealing with the high rate of casualities and injured men, the families whole style of living came to a sudden halt, and they were forced to adapt to the destruction and lack of help. Towns were demolished and all houses were ransacked. The "New South" consisted of men and women, who had previously not worked a day in their life, to now having to earn a living using any means possible. Land, which was very valuable to them, was lost because the families could not meet the tax requirements. Overall, the self-esteem of the southern states diminished and in order for them to keep going, everyone's sates of mind had to change.