Why was the cotton called a cash crop?

Answer 1

Cotton was called a cash crop because it was grown primarily for sale rather than for personal consumption. Its high demand in both domestic and international markets, particularly during the Industrial Revolution, made it a lucrative commodity for farmers. The profitability of cotton farming significantly contributed to the economies of regions like the American South, where it became a cornerstone of agricultural wealth. This status as a cash crop also had profound social and economic implications, including the reliance on enslaved labor for its cultivation.