The invention made processing cotton faster, easier and more efficient.

By 1850, almost 75% of the world's cotton was processed in the United States.

Twenty years after the cotton gin invention, the number of slaves in America had doubled.

To keep up with demand for cotton, plantation owners set very long hours of relentless work.

In the decade following the invention, cotton production rose from 3,000 bales a year to 100,000 bales a year.

cotton was shipped from Memphis in large amounts

Memphis had the most plantations of any city

Memphis consumed more cotton then other cities in the South

the area around Memphis had fertile soil for growing cotton

Memphis had the largest enslaved population in the South

New York City becoming a vital commercial center with the country’s busiest seaport

New Orleans becoming a leader in manufacturing and overseas trade

Washington, D.C., becoming the cultural and political center of the nation

Boston becoming one of the country’s largest transportation hubs

The Lowell factory mills were the first to employ children.

The Lowell factory mills hired actively sought to hire women.

The Lowell factory mills were the first to use interchangeable parts.

The Lowell factory mills were the first textile mills to incorporate the cotton gin.

They made the need for steel obsolete.

People could now vacation in places far away.

Raw and manufactured goods could be transported more easily.

They replaced cars as the most common form of transportation.

escaping a plague

escaping religious oppression

big cities

land

western farmers clashed with Irish immigrants over land

it was illegal to hire Irish immigrants

anti-Irish sentiment grew with the increase in Irish immigration

Irish immigrants lacked the necessary skills