USA HISTORY

THE VIRGINIA DYNASTY 1801 1825

AMERICAN INDUSTRIALIZATION FACTORY SYSTEM AND MARKET REVOLUTION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
One effect of the cotton gin was-
A
Slaves no longer had to work outside in the fields, but now could work indoors
B
Britain began purchasing cotton from the U.S. because of its high quality
C
The planting of cotton increased resulting in more slaves being brought to the U.S.
D
The Secretary of Treasury invested federal money in the cotton industry because of its success
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -While it was true that the cotton gin reduced the labor of removing seeds, it did not reduce the need for enslaved labor to grow and pick the cotton. In fact, the opposite occurred. Cotton growing became so profitable for enslavers that it greatly increased their demand for both land and enslaved labor.

Detailed explanation-2: -After the cotton gin became available, cotton became the top cash crop in the South. Since the ease of producing cotton increased supply, the prices lowered and demand increased. Cotton manufacturing in the North increased and so did the demand for cotton.

Detailed explanation-3: -The gin improved the separation of the seeds and fibers but the cotton still needed to be picked by hand. The demand for cotton roughly doubled each decade following Whitney’s invention. So cotton became a very profitable crop that also demanded a growing slave-labor force to harvest it.

There is 1 question to complete.