Why is it when we talk about The South, everyone thinks East Coast?

Question

Why isnt Southern California and South Texas "the South" ?

Answer 1

I think it goes back to the Civil War, or the war between the North and South.Those states out west were not yet part of the United States so when people talk about the South they are usually referring to the states that were part of the civil war.

Answer 2

The closest thing I always figured is that "The South" originally came from the Civil War era, when "The North vs. The South" didn't include places like South Texas and Southern Cali. Most of the places that has been truly settled were along the East Coast to the Mississippi River., and from Maine to Florida. I think it also has to do with weather conditions - obviously New Mexico has very different weather than South Carolina, even though they aren't that far apart longitudinally, so Texas gets grouped in with Arizona and New Mexico more often - the hot, dry Southwest. Texas is sometimes included in talking about "The South", but it depends on who you are talking to - Since Texas was the only state in the Union to once have been its own country it is often referred to as not quite being a part of "The South". No true sources for any of this, though I hope it helps!

Answer 3

Because the "south" includes states like both Carolina's, Georgia, the north part of Florida, Virgina...states that are actually on the east coast.

However Southern California isn't historically part of the "south". The "south" ends at Texas, and even much of Texas don't consider themselves in the "south" but in the "west".

Answer 4

Mostly because when the south was "The South," California wasn't a state yet. Texas is sort of own entity and is also considered more of the Southwest.

By the way, Texas WAS it's own country at one time. No other state can say that.

Answer 5

when i think of the south my mind automatically goes to slavery, which makes me think of the confederate states which are the eastern south, no? thats personally why i think of the eastern southern sates as 'the south'

Answer 6

Texans think of themselves as Texans. They still want to be another country. Texas
Californians have such a long state you could be a northerner and still almost qualify as a californian.