historical background…

MostoftheplantationownerswereChurchofEnglandmemberswhoregard－edthemselvesasaristocrats.Thefirstgenerationofowners，themenwhoestab－lishedthegreatplantations，wereambitious，energetic，self-disciplined，andre－sourceful，justasthePuritanswere.Thewayoflifeonmostplantations，however，wasmoresociableandelegantthanthatofany，Puritanismwasindeclineeverywhere，andtheplantationsystemintheSouthwasjustreachingitspeak.  [返]