Why did the cost of slave labor double, even after the invention of the cotton gin?
A.
The demand for enslaved workers for the cotton fields was high, but the supply of workers was low due to the slave trade ban.
B.
Northern enslavers refused to sell their enslaved workers.
C.
Enslaved workers were in high demand for tobacco and rice farms.
D.
More enslaved workers were being freed at that point.
In what year?
Decide which choices don't make sense and cross them out. Make your decision based on the choices left and what's written in your text.
It is A. Hope it helps!
To understand why the cost of slave labor doubled after the invention of the cotton gin, we need to consider the historical context and factors at play during that time.
The correct answer is A. The demand for enslaved workers for the cotton fields was high, but the supply of workers was low due to the slave trade ban.
Here's the explanation:
1. The invention of the cotton gin: In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, a machine that efficiently removed seeds from cotton fibers. This technological innovation made cotton production much faster and more profitable.
2. Increased demand for cotton: With the cotton gin making cotton production easier, the demand for cotton increased significantly. This led to a boom in cotton cultivation, especially in the southern United States.
3. Need for enslaved labor: The cotton industry relied heavily on enslaved labor to cultivate and harvest the cotton crops. Enslaved workers were forced to work long hours in harsh conditions, contributing to the profitability of the cotton industry.
4. Effects of the slave trade ban: In 1808, the United States outlawed the international slave trade, which prohibited the importation of enslaved people from Africa. This ban reduced the supply of enslaved workers available to meet the increasing demand brought about by the cotton industry's expansion.
5. Scarce supply of enslaved workers: As the cotton industry flourished, the supply of enslaved workers decreased due to the slave trade ban. Plantation owners and farmers had limited access to new slaves, making the existing enslaved workers more valuable. This scarcity led to an increase in the cost of slave labor.
Therefore, the correct answer is A. The demand for enslaved workers for the cotton fields was high, but the supply of workers was low due to the slave trade ban, resulting in the doubling of the cost of slave labor even after the invention of the cotton gin.