What was the significance of the cotton gin during the Industrial Revolution?

The cotton gin played a crucial role during the Industrial Revolution by dramatically increasing the efficiency of cotton processing. Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, the cotton gin mechanized the labor-intensive process of separating cotton fibers from seeds. Prior to its invention, this process was extremely slow and labor-intensive, requiring significant manpower and time.

With the introduction of the cotton gin, one worker could process much larger quantities of cotton in a fraction of the time. This efficiency not only boosted cotton production but also made cotton a highly profitable crop, thereby fueling the growth of the textile industry. In turn, the increased demand for raw cotton contributed to the expansion of plantations in the southern United States, further embedding cotton in the economy and culture of the time.

The other options do not accurately capture the impact of the cotton gin. For instance, while the demand for cotton increased following its invention, it did not decrease. Additionally, the cotton gin did not promote synthetic materials; rather, it facilitated the use of natural cotton in textile production. Finally, instead of limiting cotton exports, the increased efficiency of cotton processing helped expand the cotton trade internationally.