Question

Which of these led to more slavery?

O A. High tariffs
O B. The McCormick reaper
E
O C. The cotton gin
D. The Twelfth Amendment

Answer 1

The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, led to an increase in slavery due to its impact on the profitability of cotton farming, resulting in a greater demand for slave labor in the South. This invention contributed significantly to the expansion of slavery in the pre-Civil War United States.

Step-by-step explanation:

The invention that led to more slavery in the United States was the cotton gin. Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, the cotton gin greatly increased the efficiency of cotton processing. This led to a boom in the cotton industry which dramatically increased the demand for slave labor in the South. The cotton gin allowed a greater amount of cotton to be cleaned and seeds removed, making cotton farming more profitable and thus expanding the need for labor to plant, tend, and harvest the cotton fields, which was achieved through the enslavement of more individuals.