3. Why might cotton production increase in Texas during the 1850s? a. Invention of the horse-drawn plow b. Expansion of slavery c. Increase of average rainfall d. It only decreased as they neared the beginning of the Civil War

The expansion of slavery was a significant factor in the increase of cotton production in Texas during the 1850s. The reliance on enslaved labor for agricultural work allowed plantations to scale up their operations, leading to higher output. As cotton became a crucial cash crop, many Southern states, including Texas, ramped up their cultivation efforts to meet the growing demand in both domestic and international markets. Additionally, the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 revolutionized the cotton industry, making it easier to separate cotton fibers from seeds. Although this invention predates the 1850s, its lasting effects on increasing cotton production continued to be felt across Southern states, including Texas, facilitating greater yields and increased profitability for cotton growers.