Slavery and Cotton: The Roots of American Capitalism

The innovation of new technologies in cotton production catalyzed the growth of the textile industry in the United States, enabling local manufacturers in New England to satisfy a burgeoning global demand. Previously, American colonies supplied raw cotton to British mills, but advancements allowed for domestic processing, thus establishing a robust manufacturing economy fueled by economic activity from textile mills. This shift not only benefited white immigrant workers in the mills but also illustrated the heavy reliance on the exploitation of enslaved black labor, which underpinned this economic transformation. Historian Edward Baptist notes that by the mid-19th century, cotton emerged as the most valuable global commodity, akin to the role of oil today. The U.S. position was strengthened by its ability to produce cotton domestically, uniquely positioning itself against European competitors who were dependent on imports.