Question

Why did cotton become so important, and what significance did other crops hold for the southern region of the United States in the 1800's?

Answer 1

Earlier in the South tobacco was the main cash crop in 1800s,raising tobacco was a labour intensive task, which demanded for slaves. But eventually, the tobacco market begin to decline as southern plantation owner grew less tobacco,fewer slaves were required which caused a drop in the price of slaves.But after that there was an invention of cotton gin in 1800s.Cotton was not growing very often because it's production was very labour intensive, in addition to the usual labour to produce a crop in cotton , the seeds need to be separated out so that tgey could be used as fibre,for making clothes and Cotton clothes were in great demand at that time.There was a growing market for fibers for fabric because of the growth in the textile industry in America. But cotton was not cost effective so wool was used instead . They also indulged into the plantation of corns.they harvested cotton and corn simultaneously.