What does the term new south describe the work of southerners in changing their what?

The term "New South" describes the efforts of southerners to transform their economy and society following the Civil War and Reconstruction. It emphasizes a shift from an agrarian-based economy reliant on slavery to one focused on industrialization, urbanization, and diversification. Advocates of the New South aimed to modernize the region, attract Northern investment, and improve social conditions, while also grappling with the legacy of racial segregation and inequality. The term encapsulates the broader cultural and economic aspirations of the South during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.