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Cotton gin
Cotton
Cotton, Slavery, and Oil
In 1793, Eli Whitney came out with his invention, the cotton gin. This revolutionized the way the South was able to function as an agricultural region.
The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, revolutionized the cotton industry by greatly increasing the efficiency of cotton processing. This innovation allowed for the rapid separation of cotton fibers from seeds, significantly boosting cotton production in the South. As a result, cotton became the dominant cash crop, driving economic growth, increasing the demand for slave labor, and solidifying the South's reliance on agriculture. Ultimately, the cotton gin transformed the Southern economy, making it a central player in both domestic and international markets.