How many fraternities were founded south of the Mason-Dixon line prior to the Civil War?

How many fraternities were founded south of the Mason-Dixon line prior to the Civil War?

• A. 6
• B. 4
• C. 8
• D. 12

Answer: (A)

Before the Civil War, Greek-letter organizations were mainly concentrated in Northern colleges, where higher education and campus social life were more developed. The South had far fewer established universities and a different campus culture, so the spread of fraternities there happened slowly. Because of that, only a small number of social fraternities had been founded south of the Mason-Dixon line by the time the war began—about six. This figure reflects the general pattern of geographic diffusion: Northern colleges founded most of the early fraternities, and the South would see more growth in the postwar era. (Note: this count refers to social fraternities, not honorary societies.)

Before the Civil War, Greek-letter organizations were mainly concentrated in Northern colleges, where higher education and campus social life were more developed. The South had far fewer established universities and a different campus culture, so the spread of fraternities there happened slowly. Because of that, only a small number of social fraternities had been founded south of the Mason-Dixon line by the time the war began—about six. This figure reflects the general pattern of geographic diffusion: Northern colleges founded most of the early fraternities, and the South would see more growth in the postwar era. (Note: this count refers to social fraternities, not honorary societies.)