1. Chapter 13.1 Growth of the Cotton Industry
Reviving the South’s Economy
⇨tobacco, rice and indigo were the South’s main crops before the American Revolution
⇨dropping prices forced farmers to try other crops such as cotton which increased the demand for slaves
Cotton Becomes Profitable
⇨short-staple cotton grew best, but was difficult to clean
⇨industrial revolution in Britain increased demand for cotton from the U.S.
Questions

2. Chapter 13.1 Growth of the Cotton Industry
Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin
⇨cotton gin- a machine that removes seeds from short-staple cotton was invented by Eli Whitney
⇨Whitney’s patent was ignored by manufacturers
⇨planters- large scale farmers who held more than 20 slaves
The Cotton Boom
⇨the cotton gin made cotton production very profitable
⇨cotton belt- area of high cotton production
⇨cotton production increased rapidly and firmly established the institution of slavery
Questions

3. Chapter 13.1 Growth of the Cotton Industry
Cotton Belt
⇨Advantages of cotton
*cost little to market
*could be stored for a long time
*cost less to transport
⇨Disadvantage
*rapidly used nutrients in soil
⇨farmers used crop rotation (changing crops every few years) to help replenish soil nutrients
⇨crossbreeding created stronger cotton and helped expand production
⇨factories were built to supply items needed by cotton farmers such as rope to bale cotton
⇨as cotton production increased so did the need for slaves to provide the labor
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4. Chapter 13.1 Growth of the Cotton Industry
Cotton Trade
⇨”Cotton is King” demand from northern and English factories
⇨increased trade led to the growth of major southern port cities such as Savannah, Georgia, New Orleans, Louisiana and Charleston, South Carolina
⇨factors- crop brokers
* bought cotton
*loaned money to farmers
*arranged for transportation of cotton
⇨rivers provided the major transportation system to get cotton to port cities
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5. Chapter 13.1 Growth of the Cotton Industry
Other Crops and Industries
⇨some southerners worried that the south was too dependent on cotton and wanted to develop other crops and investments
Food and Cash Crops
⇨food crops-corn, rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, and sugar cane
⇨tobacco production increased after a faster drying process was used
⇨hemp and flax were also grown to make rope and sackcloth for bundling cotton
Questions

6. Chapter 13.1 Growth of the Cotton Industry
⇨first steam-powered saw mill was built in Louisiana in 1803 led to increased lumber production
⇨cotton mills were built, but were small compared to northern factories and relied on water power
⇨Tredeger Iron Works in Virginia became one of the most productive iron producers in the nation
⇨Industry did not grow in the South
*competition from the North and England
*agricultural products remained profitable
Questions