The Great Cotton Famine

The Great Cotton Famine (1861–1865) was a severe economic depression in Britain caused by the collapse of cotton imports from the American South, due to the Civil War and the blockades. Cotton was essential for Britain’s textile industry, and its shortage led to factory closures, unemployment, and widespread hardship. The famine also affected other industries and caused food shortages in some regions, as the economic disruption extended beyond textiles. It highlighted the economic dependence on imported raw materials and prompted efforts to develop alternative sources of cotton and more self-sufficient manufacturing methods.