Question

29/30

Which of the following best explains why Georgia's population increased after the invention of the cotton gin?

The cotton gin made
farming less profitable, so
people moved away.

The cotton gin led to a
decrease in cotton
production.

The cotton gin was only
used in northern states.

The cotton gin increased
the demand for land and
enslaved labor, attracting
more settlers.

Answer 1

The correct choice is: "The cotton gin increased the demand for land and enslaved labor, attracting more settlers."

Explanation: The cotton gin made short-staple cotton profitable by speeding seed removal, which drove westward expansion of cotton planting, increased demand for land and enslaved labor, and thus attracted more settlers to Georgia.