I have been working on my final for 7 hours now. I am exhausted and still have one more short essay to write. But I'm drawing complete blanks.. I can't even think anymore. ANY type of help, starters, filler information, ANYTHING would be very much appreciated right now.

Essay topic:
The years 1800 to 1860 brought growth and prosperity throughout the nation. Economic and political ties binding regions together strengthened, yet while the North evolved, becoming more industrialized, the South rigidly clung to its agrarian slave labor economy. Compare and contrast the two sections on the eve of the Civil War. How did they differ? What did they have in common? Southerners often maintained that their slaves had better lives than northern factory workers. Do you agree with that assertion? Why or why not?