Who Was Involved?

• Eli Whitney, an American inventor

• Southern plantation owners who relied on cotton production

• Enslaved Africans who worked on cotton plantations

What Happened?

• In 1793, Whitney invented the cotton gin, a machine that quickly separated cotton fibers from seeds.

• The invention made cotton production much more efficient, leading to an explosion in cotton farming across the South.

• This increased demand for enslaved labor, as more workers were needed to harvest cotton.

Where Did It Happen?

• Southern United States, particularly in states like Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina.

When Did It Happen?

• 1793, when the cotton gin was patented.

Why Is It Important?

• The cotton gin contributed to the expansion of slavery in the U.S., entrenching it in the economy.

• Revolutionized the cotton industry, which became the backbone of the South's economy.

• Shows the unintended consequences of technological advancements on social structures.