How did developments both outside and inside of Texas encourage Texas farmers to rapidly increase the amount of cotton that they grow from 1860 to 1900
Several factors contributed to the rapid increase in cotton production by Texas farmers from 1860 to 1900. These developments include external and internal influences:
1. The Civil War: During the Civil War, demand for cotton increased significantly due to the blockade of Confederate ports by the Union Navy. This created a shortage of cotton in the international market, leading to high prices and increased profits for Texas cotton growers.
2. Industrialization: The Industrial Revolution led to the mechanization of cotton production, making it easier and more cost-effective for farmers to grow and harvest cotton on a large scale. This encouraged Texas farmers to expand their cotton fields and increase production.
3. Railroad expansion: The expansion of railroads in Texas provided farmers with easier access to markets for their cotton, allowing them to sell their produce to a wider range of buyers. This increased demand for Texas cotton and encouraged farmers to increase production.
4. Land availability: Texas had vast tracts of fertile land suitable for cotton cultivation. The Homestead Act of 1862 also encouraged settlers to move westward and cultivate the land, further increasing cotton production in the state.
5. Crop diversification: Texas farmers began to shift from traditional subsistence crops to cash crops like cotton, which provided more consistent income and higher profits. The introduction of new farming techniques and technologies also contributed to the increase in cotton production.
6. Political and economic factors: Government policies and economic incentives, such as land grants, subsidies, and tax breaks, encouraged Texas farmers to grow more cotton. The availability of cheap labor, including sharecroppers and migrant workers, also helped to increase production.
Overall, the combination of these external and internal developments created a favorable environment for Texas farmers to rapidly increase the amount of cotton they grew from 1860 to 1900.