Final answer:
The invention of the cotton gin led to a significant increase in cotton production in the US, with production rising from 73,000 bales in 1800 to 730,000 bales by 1820, and the US producing about 68% of the world's cotton by mid-century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 had a profound effect on the production of cotton in the United States. It primarily led to an increase in cotton production, because it significantly enhanced the efficiency of seed removal from the cotton fiber, which was particularly beneficial for the more prevalent but difficult-to-process short staple cotton. The gin made it possible to quickly and efficiently process large quantities of cotton, which, when combined with the high demand for cotton on international markets, led to a dramatic increase in cotton production. From 1800 to 1820 alone, cotton production increased from approximately 73,000 bales to 730,000 bales. By mid-century, the United States produced an estimated 68 percent of the world's cotton. Due to the cotton gin's efficiency, more land was cultivated for cotton production, which in turn played a significant role in the expansion of slavery in the South. The correct answer to the student's question is that the production of cotton increased following the invention of the cotton gin.