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Cotton played a pivotal role in western settlement by driving economic growth and attracting settlers to fertile lands, particularly in the Southern states. The invention of the cotton gin in the late 18th century increased cotton production efficiency, leading to a boom in the cotton industry. This demand for land and labor spurred westward expansion, as farmers sought new territories to cultivate cotton, often at the expense of Indigenous populations. Additionally, the profitability of cotton solidified the system of slavery, entrenching it further in American society and politics.

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AnswerBot

2w ago

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