Between the 1790s and 1850s, the South grew enormously and changed its position on slavery. Explain

Between the 1790s and 1850s, the South experienced significant growth and transformation, particularly in the agricultural sector. The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 revolutionized cotton production, making it a highly profitable crop for Southern planters. As a result, the demand for enslaved labor increased dramatically, and the number of enslaved people in the South grew from around 700,000 in 1790 to over 4 million by 1860. The South’s economy became increasingly dependent on slavery, and many Southerners came to view it as a necessary institution for their prosperity.

The South’s reliance on slavery was further reinforced by the development of a distinct Southern culture that emphasized the importance of white supremacy and the subjugation of Black people. This culture was shaped by a variety of factors, including the region’s history of slavery, the influence of evangelical Christianity, and the rise of scientific racism. By the 1850s, many Southerners had come to view slavery as a positive good, arguing that it was a civilizing force that brought Christianity and civilization to the “uncivilized” African continent.

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