The Rise of Cotton: Crash Course Black American History #13

Cotton is everywhere in our modern world, and it became a hugely important crop in the 19th century United States. Cotton was a huge economic boon to the US, and much of that wealth was built on the backs of enslaved laborers. And cotton didn't only benefit the states where slavery was legal. While cotton was mainly grown in the southern states, much of that cotton was processed in northern textile mills. Today we'll learn about the growth of the cotton industry, who benefitted from it, and who was left out.

VIDEO SOURCES
-Edward E. Baptist, The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism. New York: Basic Books, 2014.
-Sven Beckert, Empire of Cotton: A Global History. New York: Penguin Books, 2014.
-Eugene Dattel, Cotton and Race in the Making of America: The Human Costs of Economic Power. Lanham, MD: Ivan R Dee, 2009.
-Adam Rothman, Slave Country: American Expansion and the Origins of the Deep South. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2005.

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[TaliaOutwrong]

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this series. Each week it gives me something to reflect on, and helps me to understand the world I live in. Such a wonderful resource.

[aarongrooves]

This series seriously kicks butt. I love it! Grateful for your dedication and commitment to this!

[mr.michael]

Please put this in our history books 🙏🏼

[mrcead]

Imagine how better off America would be if black Americans were allowed economic participation after reconstruction at least

[bertjm]

Well done episode & series. It's important to add that the rise of industrial capitalism in the 19th century, which was centered in the textile mills of England, could not have happened unless it was jump started by the imported American cotton that was so cheap because the labor costs for the enslaved people who produced it were so low. Two forms of exploiting labor - one even worse than the other - intersecting & reinforcing one another.

[joeschillchannel]

Great historical information. As a teacher, I am more than happy to share this with my students. These facts need to be shared.

[toddground]

4 Million human beings work were worth much more than all the machinery in the USA. It is almost like the workers hold the means of production and without them nothing can be build, cultivated, cooked or sold.

[regularrae]

This is...by far the hardest episode for me to digest. Keep in mind, I'm following the whole series already which has been nothing short of knowledgable yet grueling. But, to really examine and to put into context how much African Americans/Enslaved Africans helped build not only this economy and country...but a good chunk of Europe's and overall the worlds? We have been beyond short-handed. It motivates me like no other to make sure I'm putting money into my community, my family, and myself; thus working hard for the legacy my ancestors were never able to see. Just..yeah, beyond blessed you all are creating these, yet my heart is so heavy for the ripple effects this inhumane system created.

[reedkellner]

It's incredible to know that this will be the first time some people watching this will have gotten the chance to learn these basic facts about our nation's history. It's a great first step.

[littlehouseinthebigapple]

There’s a great book “The Half has Never Been Told” that discusses the economics of slavery and wealth creation in America.

[mraj]

Thank you Clint. I'm grateful to learn more about this period of history. You're a great teacher.

[georgieporgie]

I am not American but found this very interesting

[ikeshaj]

I love this series. I just can't get enough. My professor introduced it to me and I'm so grateful. Thank you professor Barbara Glover from Lehman College.

[LeeSaMcGhee]

Playing on the smartboard ALL YEAR LONG in the library from this day forward. Thanks!

[kareemyounge]

damn I wonder why this series gets the highest amount of dislikes?

[Justgofoods]

Generational wealth is a topic of interest to me. I recently bought a home for myself and children and am so glad I did. Great Video series!👍🏿

[fergimedia]

So grateful to you for making these ~ crash course videos, so informative and educational.
My boys actually like watching these. 🥰
Lotsa love from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

[malachichampion]

"It really doesn't get more clear than that"

[SlowToe]

Brilliant and chilling in it's delivery and content.

[markkuiper]

I hope this series wil also include the tuskegee pilots