Cotton was considered to be the foundation of Confederacy. This essay examines the question: ‘How much did cotton impact the Civil War outbreak?’ To answer the questions raised, this paper will review events and economic influences from the nineteenth century to the Civil War outbreak in 1861. Cotton’s impact on the civil conflict was significant in terms of its economic, social and politic implications. Cotton’s role in the civil war is due to its economic, political and social impact.
Eli Whitney created the cotton-gin in 1793, which led to an explosion of cotton production. The cotton-gin separated the seed and fiber more effectively. Cotton became the dominant industry in the South. Cotton’s major contribution in the south’s economy brought the United States into foreign trade, mainly with Britain. However, it also brought the United States into controversy because of its reliance on slavery. Cotton was the main driver of economic interest in the South. In terms of urbanization and industry, the North and south had many differences. Massachusetts alone produced a greater amount of manufactured goods than all of Confederate State.
The South was adamant about its agricultural lifestyle. Cotton is a good example. When the Chickasaws & Choctaws Indians left between 1830 – 1832, they settled the entire northern part of Mississippi. The cotton industry boomed in Mississippi. By 1834, the state produced 85 million pounds. Cotton production increased to 125 millions pounds two years later.
Mississippi is the only state in America that produces a quarter (Rothman) of all cotton. Cotton industry capital grew to be a significant global export. In 1850, the US exported 50% of its cotton. Cotton trade brought prosperity to the entire society. Raw cotton, which was vital to the European economy, was also traded by the South for British weapons.
Cotton was a major commodity in the South, and its importance provided the economic power to support a diplomatic campaign in the Confederate States. Cotton was a major defense for the South in its support of states’ rights. South Carolina referred to slave labor as “a peculiar institution” and abolitionists as a threat. The South was driven to protect slavery. Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1904 was one of many factors leading to war.
Kansas-Nebraska Act came about because the United States could not agree whether slavery was legal or illegal. Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed because the United States could not agree on whether slavery would be legal.
The battle over slavery was moved into unrecognized territories. Southerners who support slavery and Northerners who oppose it fled to Kansas with the intention of either preserving or destroying slavery. Kansas’ outcome came down to voting. There were illegal votes and polls that were seized. The tensions grew and the state was called “bleeding Kansas”.
Southerners wanted to keep cotton-based slavery and the cotton economy, even though many Northerners argued that it was not morally right to do so.
Northern abolitionists questioned the morality of slavery. Though many believed that African Americans shouldn’t be given the same legal rights as the white population, they didn’t believe in slavery. South Carolina called slavery a “peculiar establishment” and supported it. By calling slavery “peculiar”, we can ignore the potential harm it could have on African American life. Southern whites thought it was a question about human rights, but not an issue of economics or politics.
This perspective was based on the plantations’ contribution to the economy of the South, which consisted of 50% cotton. In the years leading up to the Civil War, Dred Scott was the first case where these rights were challenged. Dred, an enslaved cotton plantation worker, tried to win his freedom in the North. In 1847, after he had been living in the Free Territory for 10 years, he filed for his release. However, it was dismissed because of a technicality.
The decision angered the Northern states. Slavery was a controversial issue that involved more than one man’s liberty. Slavery is the continuation and growth of cotton cash crops at the expense human freedom.
Cotton, although not generally regarded as the primary cause of war in the United States Civil War, had a significant impact on the tensions that grew and led to the war’s outbreak. Cotton’s contribution to the Civil War’s outbreak was significant, both economically and politically. Cotton’s role in the South contributed to a diplomatic plan in the Confederate states that led to an increase in tensions.
The South was determined not to give up slavery. Cotton was their main source of income, and they were determined to continue it. North was further aggravated by social tensions due to political and economical tensions. Cotton was the main factor in the social tension that arose from slavery. The cotton was the central thread in all the arguments that led up to the civil conflict.
