The invention of the cotton gin helped the manner by which cotton was made ready for market, however, the cotton plantations were still operated by intensive slave labor. The actual steps of how a cotton plantation were as follows:
* Cotton gins could be powered by horses or water. Intensive slave labor was not required in this process;
* Slaves prepared for the next cotton crop by first clearing, by hand or clubs, the left over cotton stalks;
*Maure was then required for the new crop, this was done by hand and consisted of placing this fertilizer as deep as possible into the furrows of the previous crop;
* The seeding for the new crop was done by hand, usually in the Spring;
* By late Summer the cotton was harvested by hand, and ginned almost immediately; and
* The entire process began again, one cycle after another.
Production levels were unsustainable without vast numbers of workers. Paid workers would make the cotton system too expensive, thus slave labor was required.
Many in the South had regarded slavery as a necessary evil, however, the economic boom it created made slavery a essential part of the Southern economy.
South- cotton North- non cotton
The South's climate and geography made it well-suited for the cultivation of cotton. The cotton industry was one of the largest industries in the world.
The South made great gains in the cotton industries.
the south had fertile soil and a warm climate
dependence of the south on the North
The International Cotton Exposition, held in Atlanta in 1881, promoted the cotton industry in the South and showcased new technologies in cotton production. It helped to revitalize the South's economy after the Civil War and increased international interest in Southern cotton.
The north doesn't grow cotton, but, it has a lot of industry. The south's use of cotton, (and their need of slaves), and their limited industry helped lead to the civil war and the south's defeat.
It suggested that a new approach to the economy was developing in the South
It was the mainstay of the cotton industry.
Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the most important cities in the American South, and it has been called the “Cotton Capital of the South” since the 19th century. This title is well deserved, as cotton has been a major part of Memphis’ economy since the city’s founding in 1819. Cotton was an important part of the American economy from the colonial period onward. This was especially true in the South, where it was a major cash crop for planters and farmers. By the mid-19th century, Memphis had become a major hub for cotton production and trade. Memphis’ location made it an ideal city for the cotton industry. The city is situated on the Mississippi River, which provided easy access to markets in the Midwest and the East Coast. Memphis was also connected to other major rivers in the South, such as the Tennessee and the Arkansas, which made it a hub for cotton production and transportation. The city’s location also made it easy for producers to access labor and resources. Memphis was surrounded by cotton-producing regions, such as Mississippi and Arkansas, and had access to a large pool of African American labor. This, combined with the city’s transportation infrastructure, made it an ideal location for the cotton industry. Memphis’ cotton industry was further bolstered by the city’s major railroads. These railroads allowed cotton to be transported to other parts of the country quickly and efficiently, making Memphis an even more attractive location for the cotton industry. By the late 19th century, Memphis had become one of the most important cotton-producing cities in the South. The city’s status as the “Cotton Capital of the South” was cemented when the Memphis Cotton Exchange was established in 1876. This exchange allowed cotton producers to buy and sell cotton on a large scale, and it further solidified the city’s reputation as the center of the cotton industry. Today, Memphis is still an important center for the cotton industry. The city’s cotton exchange continues to operate, and many of the city’s major industries, such as manufacturing and finance, are still directly linked to cotton production. Memphis’ status as the “Cotton Capital of the South” is a testament to the city’s long history of cotton production and trade.
A new approach to the economy was developing in the south.
The south's economy was based largely on growing cotton. The north's economy was based on industry.