Question

During the first half of the nineteenth century, which of the following agricultural products drove the US economy?

1) Cotton
2) Tobacco
3) Wheat
4) Corn

Answer 1

Cotton was the agricultural product that drove the US economy during the first half of the nineteenth century, especially after the invention of the cotton gin, leading to a cotton boom and making the US the global leader in cotton production.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the first half of the nineteenth century, the agricultural product that drove the US economy was cotton. After the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in the 1790s, which drastically improved the efficiency of cotton processing, cotton became the primary crop of the American South and a pivotal factor in the nation's economy. By 1860, the South was producing two-thirds of the world's supply of cotton, making the United States the leader in global cotton production.

This cotton boom significantly influenced the domestic and global markets, especially as exports became crucial to Great Britain's textile industry. Despite advancements such as the cotton gin and steam power that aided production and transport, this economic success was inseparably linked to the exploitation of stolen labor from enslaved people, highlighting a dark aspect of America's history.

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Answer 2

During the first half of the nineteenth century, the agricultural product that primarily drove the US economy was 1 Cotton.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cotton Boom: The correct answer is Cotton (Option 1) because during the first half of the nineteenth century, especially in the Southern United States, there was a significant boom in cotton production. This was fueled by the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793, which revolutionized cotton processing, making it more profitable.

Economic Impact: Cotton became a major cash crop, and its cultivation and export had a profound impact on the Southern economy. The Southern states, known as the Cotton Belt, became economically reliant on cotton production and export.

Slave Labor: The demand for cotton led to the expansion of plantation agriculture, which, in turn, increased the reliance on slave labor. This economic model, known as the Cotton Kingdom, played a pivotal role in shaping the socio-economic landscape of the Southern United States.

Global Influence: The export of cotton had a global impact, as the Southern states became a crucial supplier of cotton to the international market, particularly to the textile industries in Britain and other European countries.