Question

How did the cotton gin impact westward expansion and slavery?(1 point) Responses The cotton gin made cotton farming less profitable, reducing the need for land and slaves. The cotton gin made cotton farming less profitable, reducing the need for land and slaves. The cotton gin led to the development of textile mills and lessened the demand for cotton. The cotton gin led to the development of textile mills and lessened the demand for cotton. The cotton gin made it easier to produce cotton, leading to the need for more land and more slaves. The cotton gin made it easier to produce cotton, leading to the need for more land and more slaves. The cotton gin had no impact on westward expansion or slavery.

Answer 1

The correct response is: **The cotton gin made it easier to produce cotton, leading to the need for more land and more slaves.**

The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 significantly increased the efficiency of cotton production, which in turn fueled the demand for cotton. This demand resulted in the expansion of cotton plantations, particularly in the Southern states, leading to the acquisition of more land and an increase in the number of enslaved people needed to work on these plantations. Consequently, this contributed to westward expansion as planters moved into new territories to cultivate cotton.