The expansion of slavery into the western territories in the early nineteenth century was driven in large part by demand for which cash crop?

The expansion of slavery into the western territories in the early nineteenth century was driven in large part by demand for which cash crop?

• A. Rice
• B. Cotton
• C. Sugar
• D. Tobacco

Answer: (B)

The driving force here is the profitability of cotton. In the early 1800s, cotton became the dominant cash crop in the South, and the invention of the cotton gin made long-staple and short-staple cotton extremely productive and profitable. Planters sought new lands to plant cotton in the western territories, and enslaved labor was essential to growing and harvesting such large cotton crops. As a result, slavery expanded north into these western areas to supply the labor needed for the cotton economy. Rice, sugar, and tobacco played important roles in other regions and periods, but they did not spur the same westward push of slave labor into these western territories.

The driving force here is the profitability of cotton. In the early 1800s, cotton became the dominant cash crop in the South, and the invention of the cotton gin made long-staple and short-staple cotton extremely productive and profitable. Planters sought new lands to plant cotton in the western territories, and enslaved labor was essential to growing and harvesting such large cotton crops. As a result, slavery expanded north into these western areas to supply the labor needed for the cotton economy.

Rice, sugar, and tobacco played important roles in other regions and periods, but they did not spur the same westward push of slave labor into these western territories.