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The '''Yeoman''' was the term for independent farmers in the U.S. in the late 18th and early 19th century.  The yeoman have been intensely studied by specialists in American [[social history]], and the history of [[Republicanism]].  The term fell out of common use after 1840 and is now used only by historians.  

The '''Yeoman''' was the term for independent farmers in the U.S. in the late 18th and early 19th century.  The yeoman have been intensely studied by specialists in American [[social history]], and the history of [[Republicanism]].  The term fell out of common use after 1840 and is now used only by historians.  

Yeomen in the South are often called '''Plain Folk of the Old South'''. They were the middling white Southerners of the 19th century who owned few slaves or none.  They played a major role in the history of the [[Ante Bellum South]], although they were less influential than the planters.

Yeomen in the South are often called '''Plain Folk of the Old South'''. They were the middling white Southerners of the 19th century who owned few slaves or none.  They played a major role in the history of the [[The South|Ante Bellum South]], although they were less influential than the planters.

Historians have long debated the social, economic and political roles.  Terms used by scholars include "common people", "yeomen" and "Crackers."  The term favored in [[Jeffersonian Democracy]] and [[Jacksonian Democracy]] was "yeoman", which emphasized an independent political spirit and economic self-reliance. [[Thomas Jefferson]] in particular praised the yeomen as the carriers of America's [[Republicanism| Republican values]]. Jefferson warned that virtue could not long survive in the cities (or among dependent tenant farmers or slaves) because these people would be controlled or corrupted by others and lose their independence.

Historians have long debated the social, economic and political roles.  Terms used by scholars include "common people", "yeomen" and "Crackers."  The term favored in [[Jeffersonian Democracy]] and [[Jacksonian Democracy]] was "yeoman", which emphasized an independent political spirit and economic self-reliance. [[Thomas Jefferson]] in particular praised the yeomen as the carriers of America's [[Republicanism| Republican values]]. Jefferson warned that virtue could not long survive in the cities (or among dependent tenant farmers or slaves) because these people would be controlled or corrupted by others and lose their independence.

In his study of Edgefield County, South Carolina, Orville Vernon Burton<ref> Burton (1985)</ref> classified white society into the poor, the yeoman middle class, and the elite. A clear line demarcated the elite, but according to Burton, the line between poor and yeoman was never very distinct. Stephanie McCurry argues, yeomen were clearly distinguished from poor whites by their ownership of land (real property). Yeomen were "self-working farmers," distinct from the elite because they worked their land themselves alongside any slaves they owned. Ownership of large numbers of slaves made the work of planters completely managerial.  

In his study of Edgefield County, South Carolina, Orville Vernon Burton<ref> Burton (1985)</ref> classified white society into the poor, the yeoman middle class, and the elite. A clear line demarcated the elite, but according to Burton, the line between poor and yeoman was never very distinct. Stephanie McCurry argues, yeomen were clearly distinguished from poor whites by their ownership of land (real property). Yeomen were "self-working farmers," distinct from the elite because they worked their land themselves alongside any slaves they owned. Ownership of large numbers of slaves made the work of planters completely managerial.  

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Ante Bellum South]]

* [[The South]]

* [[Jeffersonian Democracy]]

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==