Eli Whitney: The Rise Of The Cotton Industry

In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin which provided a more efficient and quicker way to remove fibers from short-staple cotton in the process of making cotton. The cotton gin helped the southern economy rise. The North was building more buildings and becoming city-like; however, the easier and faster production of cotton kept the South using the land to farm and build cotton industries rather than building cities. Those that planted other items such as tobacco or rice saw the profits from the cotton; so, they grew cotton instead. Additionally, planting cotton required more land which was available in the lower southern area (Louisiana, Texas, etc). Population increased in the lower south area. Since there were more cotton industries,