Answer :
Final answer:
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793, a machine that efficiently removed seeds from cotton, greatly increasing production speeds. This led to the rise of cotton as a major cash crop in the South, particularly the less desirable short staple cotton, allowing for higher profits. The cotton gin revolutionized cotton processing, significantly impacting the economy of the United States.
Explanation:
Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin
In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, a revolutionary machine that removed seeds from cotton. This invention significantly changed the cotton industry in the South, allowing for the processing of cotton much faster than manual labor could provide. Whitney's cotton gin could process cotton at a rate of 50 times faster than removing seeds by hand, enabling the production of large quantities of cotton to meet growing demand.
The cotton gin was particularly important for the cultivation of short staple cotton, which had short fibers and more difficult-to-remove seeds. By streamlining the process of cleaning cotton, the gin allowed planters to profitably grow and harvest cotton, thus making it a vital cash crop for the region. As the cotton economy boomed, production soared, with U.S. cotton output increasing from about 73,000 bales in 1800 to approximately 730,000 bales by 1820, and the U.S. eventually producing around 68 percent of the world's cotton by mid-century.
Conclusion
The cotton gin was not only a technological advancement but also a significant factor in the economic transformation of the South during the early 19th century.
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