The History and Importance of Cotton - 679 Words

As early as the 1700s, cotton began to make its mark. The United States, in the 1800s, adopted cotton as its leading export and it was one of the world’s largest suppliers of the plant. Cotton allowed for the United States’ economy to drastically boom, for most of the world’s supply of cotton came from the American Southern soil. The cotton industry, powered by the extensive and tedious labor of the African American slaves, generated enormous sums of money for the United States. â€Å"In many respects, cotton’s financial and political influence in the 19th century can be compared to that of the oil industry in the early 21st century† (Dattel, Web). Although it was considered a cash crop, cotton was also a nebulous form on destruction that unknowingly influenced the country to turn to Civil War. It influenced the country in three major ways: the South to rely on cotton plantations for its profits, to stand by slavery and its benefits, and to secede f rom the Union. Cotton became King in the South in the 18th century. Being the largest exporter of this benevolent cash crop, it truly ameliorated the country’s economy and financial status. Cotton was indeed the South’s economic backbone (Dattel, Web). It supplied over 75% of the world’s cotton need and gave the country about $200 million a year in profit. Later on, the southern states who decided to secede from the Union to form the Confederate States of America in 1861, used cotton to provide revenue for its government, arms andShow MoreRelatedEdward Baptist And The Civil War847 Words   |  4 PagesFew topics in American history garner the attention, and generate the level of raw emotion among the populace, as chattel slavery during the nineteenth century. However, despite the importance this peculiar institution played, and continues to play, in shaping American society, relatively few people understand its history at more than a elementary level. Edward Baptist attempts t o change this fundamental deficiency in The Half Has Never Been Told. Structured as a narrative, it brilliantly describesRead MoreHistory Of Cotton Cultivation And Production1425 Words   |  6 PagesThe history of cotton cultivation and production to cottons part in society now. Tyler Riviere 4 April, 2016 The evolutionary history of cotton played an important role in the heritage of the British Empire, the United States(U.S.), and India. Cotton continues to be an important crop and commodity throughout society. The history of Cotton is one of the most important factors to our society currently. Cotton cultivation dates back over 7,000 years, seeds of cotton are found all over the world. CottonRead MoreSlavery And The American Economy1284 Words   |  6 Pagesof living and providing history, and religion to defend slavery. 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I will outline the common points and the striking differences between their paths in order to support the thesis that Hester had the same chances as Anne to rebel and go down in history as a heroine, but she chose to handle her punishment in quietude in order to protectRead More The Influence of Cotton Mather Essay1333 Words   |  6 PagesThe Influence of Cotton Mather â€Å"The Salem witchcraft trials,† a phrase not too often heard these days in everyday conversation. Witches burning at the stake, or drowning in a tub of water, and perhaps the most humane way of their execution, hanging. This piece of American history is a prudent example of how everyday people can, and were, be lead astray from what would normally be considered ridiculous and preposterous ideas, into something that warrants these horrible means of human demiseRead MoreImportant Inventions of the Early Nineteenth Century Essays682 Words   |  3 Pagescentury. Rank them in order of importance. Justify your ranking. 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In addition, RivoliRead MoreAfrican Americans and Cotton Fields1233 Words   |  5 Pagesslavery we perceive it to be African Americans working on a cotton field, but where did that perception come from and where did slavery begin in North America? Slavery has been one of the longest standing legal systems used throughout history. History shows that the first settlers in North America, both the Vikings and Native Americans, were the first cultures to practice slavery in the area. Slavery continued through early modern history, aiding in the discovery of North America by the Spaniards