The Cotton Revolution

The Cotton Revolution refers to a period in the 18th and 19th centuries when cotton became a crucial commodity, particularly in the United States and Britain. Innovations like the spinning jenny and the cotton gin made cotton production more efficient and boosted its demand. This resulted in the expansion of cotton plantations, especially in the Southern U.S., which relied heavily on enslaved labor. The revolution significantly influenced global trade, economics, and society, contributing to the Industrial Revolution and shaping the socio-economic landscape leading up to the American Civil War.