The Cotton Kingdom

The Cotton Kingdom refers to the predominance of cotton production in the southern United States during the early to mid-19th century. It was driven by the invention of the cotton gin, which made it easier to process cotton, and the high global demand for cotton, particularly for the textile industry. This led to the expansion of plantations and the reliance on enslaved labor. The Cotton Kingdom significantly influenced the economy, society, and politics of the South, contributing to tensions leading up to the Civil War as conflicts arose over slavery and states' rights.