apush chapter 11

What is cotton?

A soft, fluffy staple fiber extracted from the cotton plant.

How was cotton significant in the Southern economy?

Cotton was the primary cash crop, driving economic growth and shaping social structures.

What is the cotton gin?

A machine invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 that revolutionized cotton processing.

What did the cotton gin do?

It quickly separated cotton fibers from the seeds, increasing production efficiency.

What is the 'Cotton Kingdom'?

A term used to describe the Southern states where cotton was the dominant agricultural product.

How did cotton influence slavery?

The high demand for cotton led to an increase in enslaved labor to cultivate and harvest it.

What was life like for enslaved cotton workers?

Enslaved workers faced harsh conditions, long hours, and brutal treatment on plantations.

What role did cotton play in the Civil War?

Cotton was a key economic factor; the South relied on cotton exports for financial support.

What is the relationship between cotton and the Transatlantic Slave Trade?

The demand for cotton fueled the slave trade, bringing millions of Africans to the Americas.

What was the impact of the 'King Cotton' slogan?

The slogan highlighted cotton's economic power and its importance to the Southern states.

Who were prominent figures in the cotton industry?

Planters like George Washington and Eli Whitney were influential in the cotton economy.

What societal structure did cotton farming create?

It established a social hierarchy based on wealth, with plantation owners at the top.

How did the cotton boom affect migration?

It attracted thousands of settlers to the South seeking wealth and opportunity.

What are the cultural implications of cotton?

Cotton shaped Southern culture, influencing music, literature, and social norms.

What was the 'Cotton Belt'?

The region in the Southern U.S. where cotton was heavily cultivated, from Virginia to Texas.

How did industrialization affect cotton cultivation?

Industrialization increased the demand for raw cotton, boosting Southern agriculture.

What was the impact of the Civil Rights movement on cotton farming?

It led to the decline of the plantation system and improved rights for African Americans.

What role did women play in the Southern cotton economy?

Women managed households, worked in the fields, and sometimes ran plantations.

What were the living conditions of enslaved people on cotton plantations?

They lived in cramped quarters and faced inadequate food, clothing, and medical care.

How did the cotton industry affect international relations?

The South's reliance on cotton influenced trade relations, particularly with Britain.

What was the impact of cotton prices on slavery?

High cotton prices increased plantation owners' profits, leading to greater reliance on slave labor.

How did the Civil War change cotton production?

War disrupted production, leading to a decline until new methods and labor sources were found.

What are sharecropping and its relation to cotton?

Post-Civil War, sharecropping became a system where freedmen worked land for a share of crops.

What technological advancements improved cotton processing?

The mechanical cotton picker was developed, increasing efficiency and reducing labor needs.

How did cotton influence Southern education?

Wealth from cotton led to investment in educational institutions, but often excluded African Americans.

What was a typical day like for an enslaved cotton worker?

It included long hours in the fields, with limited breaks and harsh supervision.

How were African American cultural traditions influenced by cotton cultivation?

Cotton picking fostered unique traditions, songs, and communal activities among enslaved people.

What was the Abolitionist movement's stance on cotton?

Abolitionists highlighted the moral issues of cotton slavery to garner support for ending slavery.

How did the end of slavery affect the cotton industry?

The end of slavery caused a labor shortage, impacting production and plantation management.

What legacy did cotton and slavery leave in the Old South?

It left deep social, economic, and racial divisions that continue to impact the region today.

What was the significance of the cotton economy to American history?

The cotton economy played a crucial role in the development of the U.S. and its regional conflicts.