What was the lifestyle of an average american before the civil war?

Question

What was the lifestyle of an average american before the civil war?

Answer 1

Well, I have to agree, that is almost too broad to be an effective question. Because really, one of the main reasons for the Civil War is because in essence, the North and the South were two completely different countries in terms of their ideals, goals, and means. The north was a densely populated, largely industrial area with tons of immigrants coming in almost daily, largely Irish and German. The south however was a farming based society almost completely dependant on northern and English factories for industrial goods. This is one of the large reasons the north won the war really.

Answer 2

That's a very broad question, so I will throw out some words that would likely frame the truth rather that trying to write out a narrative of the "average American" of the pre-1860 period.

Conservative.  Religious.  Agrarian.  Sturdy.  Stubborn.  Xenophobic.  Self sufficient.  Self Reliant.  Adventurous.  Determined.

Hope that helps.