Cotton During The 1800's

Texas was included in the top ten states for cotton producing in the U.S. during 1852. There were several different factors that impacted the increase and decrease of cotton production throughout the 1800's. Some factors that had an effect on the production of cotton were the removal of Indians, The Civil War, and the invention of barbed wire and railroads. The rise in cotton production led to the improvements of several technologies.

Cotton provided Texas with the opportunity for economic growth. With the help of the railroad, Texas became the lead producer of cotton due to the efficiency of transporting products. The rush of immigrants looking for work after The Civil War helped increase the production of cotton.

In Texas, cotton was referred to as a labor intensive crop. Within ten years, the production of cotton increased dramatically from 58,073 bales to 431,645 bales. The term "King Cotton"had become a major feature of Texas' economy, this term attracted many economic opportunities. After the success of the natural gas and oil industry, cotton prices had begun to decrease.

Cotton was known as a successful staple from the world market. The steadiness of the cotton production in Texas helped supply the textile mills. Slave labor played a dramatic role in the success of cotton in the south. Every ten to fifteen years, cotton planters would have to leave their fields because of the soil becoming exhausted and find a new area of land to plant on.

Cotton was a major component in the economy for Waco, Texas. The arrival of cotton farming happened in McLennan County. The cotton market boomed in Waco by the end of 1885 due to the Waco Tap Railroad. Waco was known as the largest inland market for cotton in the state of Texas.

The community of west Texas depended heavily on cotton for its fibers. Cotton was the primary export for the state of Texas during the 1800's. The cash income for the Texas population would mainly come from the harvesting of cotton on two or three acres of land.

There was a rapid expansion of the economy in Texas due to the increase in production of cotton. In this study, there was a steady increase in the production of cotton due to the cotton gin, reduction in the costs of transportation and marketing, and fertile lands in the "new south".