Question

1. how did the cotton gin lead to the growth of slavery? (1 point)

the cotton gin increased cotton production so plantation owners used more enslaved labor to meet the demand.

the cotton gin made more soil fertile so plantation owners used more enslaved labor to plant more cotton.

the cotton gin required a large team of people to make it work so plantation owners used more enslaved labor to run it.

the cotton gin slowed cotton production so plantation owners used more enslaved labor to make up for it.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• The first option: The cotton gin (a machine that efficiently removed seeds from cotton) increased cotton production. With higher production demand, plantation owners needed more enslaved labor to cultivate and process cotton, which aligns with historical context.
• The second option: The cotton gin does not affect soil fertility; it is a processing machine, so this is incorrect.
• The third option: The cotton gin reduced the labor needed for processing cotton (it was a machine to automate seed removal), so it didn't require a large team to run it. This is incorrect.
• The fourth option: The cotton gin increased, not slowed, cotton production. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. The cotton gin increased cotton production so plantation owners used more enslaved labor to meet the demand.