The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in the late 18th century revolutionized the cotton industry and had a profound effect on the institution of slavery. While initially perceived as a labor-saving device, the cotton gin ultimately amplified the demand for enslaved labor, leading to an expansion of the slave trade and the entrenchment of slavery in the United States.
1. Introduction: The Cotton Gin and Its Function
The cotton gin was a device designed to remove the seeds from cotton fibers, drastically increasing the efficiency of the cotton production process. Cotton, which had been a labor-intensive crop prior to the invention, became much more lucrative due to the ease and speed with which the seeds could be removed.
2. The Expansion of Cotton Growing and the Need for Labor
With the introduction of the cotton gin, cotton production became immens
