What areas or cities of the US South would become centers of industrialization?

So, if the South were to heavily industrialize like the North, what areas would become like Detroit, Chicago, etc.? perhaps the cities along the Mississippi?
 
Cities along the Mississippi are definitely an option. I would also think that a couple of cities along the eastern coast of the United States are viable options as well.
 
Cities along the Mississippi are definitely an option. I would also think that a couple of cities along the eastern coast of the United States are viable options as well.
Would you happen to know which cities along the east coast?
 
In my opinion, Charleston and Savannah could be options. If I recall correctly, Atlanta was a rail hub OTL and both of those cities are in relatively close proximity of that hub.
 
Lynchburg Virginia was already on the way to becoming an industrial center before the war, Richmond, Va was as well The Tredagar Ironworks was one of the largest in the country, That said Atlanta stood a good chance as did any of the cities of the Tennessee River Valley, or the Eastern Seaboard, and New Orleans.
 

BlondieBC

Banned
I tend to view power, easy transport, and access to raw materials (mines) as key factors. So here are some of my choices.


  1. If the CSA holds West Virginia, the the coal could trigger industrialization.
  2. Birmingham Alabama is often mentioned.
  3. The end of the civil war is not too far from the beginning of large hydro dam era. I would look good locations near the modern location of TSA dams.
 
There was a power plant on Belle Isle in Richmond during the first part of the 1900's. Definitely some possibilities there if they can manage to keep up with the maintenance.
 
Birmingham Alabama is nicknamed Pittsburgh of the South and was founded to be a center of industry. Lots of steel production there. Granted, it was founded in 1870 so even if that area becomes industrial, it probably wouldn't have the same name with an earlier POD
 
In general, I have to think the American Piedmont would be a good start. For early industrialization, you want fast flowing rivers, and, for that, you want hilly terrain.
 
One of the things that initially held back the south seems to have been the resistance to tariffs on the part of the southern states. The southern states tended to blame the recession of the 1820s on the tariffs enacted during the war of 1812. The increase in tariffs in 1828 led to the nullification crisis whereby South Carolina refused to ratify the new tariffs. The tariffs were said to favour the northern states, to protect their fledgling industries (textiles) from lower-cost British imports. The southern states preferred to export their cotton to Britain with lower tariffs and in turn be able to purchase lower cost industrial goods along farming equipment/railroad stock.
 
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