Question

Which is the most likely cause of the spike in cotton production in Mississippi in the mid-1800s shown on the chart?
(1 point)
Responses

the growth in demand for cotton in the North and Europe
the growth in demand for cotton in the North and Europe

the introduction of new irrigation methods to the region
the introduction of new irrigation methods to the region

the invention of the cotton gin
the invention of the cotton gin

the increase in number of immigrant-owned farms
the increase in number of immigrant-owned farms

Answer 1

The most likely cause of the spike in cotton production in Mississippi in the mid-1800s is **the invention of the cotton gin**. The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, greatly increased the efficiency of cotton processing, making it much easier to separate cotton fibers from seeds. This innovation significantly boosted cotton production, particularly in the southern United States, including Mississippi, leading to the rapid expansion of the cotton industry during that period.