What invention significantly increased cotton production in the 19th century?

The invention that significantly increased cotton production in the 19th century is the cotton gin. Developed by Eli Whitney in 1793, the cotton gin revolutionized the process of separating cotton fibers from seeds. Prior to its invention, this process was labor-intensive and time-consuming, limiting the amount of cotton that could be processed effectively. With the cotton gin, one worker could clean as much cotton in a single day as many workers could do in a week, leading to a dramatic increase in cotton production.

This increase in efficiency not only boosted the American economy but also solidified cotton's role as a crucial cash crop, particularly in the Southern states. The demand for cotton surged as the textile industry expanded, both in America and internationally, which further entrenched the agricultural reliance on slave labor to cultivate cotton fields. Thus, the cotton gin played a pivotal role in shaping the agricultural and economic landscape of the United States during the 19th century.