1. Tobacco & Cotton

TOBACCO

1. 

2. 

                Tobacco, a North American plant, was originally brought to Europe by Columbus in 1492. This plant has had a wide range of uses over the years, including ritualistic and recreational smoking, and was even considered to be a medical resource for some time. King James I of England denounced tobacco both in writing and by raising the tariff on tobacco, though this proved to be ineffective in deterring the Europeans from smoking.  As America was colonized, tobacco production increased to meet England’s growing demand as the habit spread. Planting and sowing tobacco was physically demanding, and this high demand caused slaves to replace indentured migrants in 1619, at the start of the slave trade. This increased trade with England yielded high profits, but also encouraged smuggling and piracy. Heavy taxation and trade restrictions (with tobacco being one of the main exports) were a leading cause of the 1775 American War of Independence, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the ‘Tobacco War.’

COTTON

3. 

4. 

Cotton, known as ‘tree wool,’ has been used for a very long time, at least since 5 B.C. when the Indians would spin the plant into cloth. The plant was brought west, and the British East India Company began trading cotton in 1600. Europe’s demand for cotton increased exponentially, and by the mid-1800s, America began the majority supplier of raw cotton. At this point, Europe had both the demand for spun cotton and the supply of raw cotton, but lacked the labor. This led to technological advancements and the mechanization of the cotton spinning industry. This Industrial Revolution caused urbanization, and many people moved to the cities to work in factories. However, working in these factories was brutal, as pay was low and the conditions were dangerous. Child labor also became prevalent, and slave labor was used to grow cotton in the Southern states.

CONNECTIONS & SIMILARITIES

5. 

             There are a number of similarities between tobacco and cotton, and the affect they had on American and European history. Most importantly, these plants were very important in the economies of, and trade between, the Americas and Europe. They led to new developments; tobacco helped instigate the founding of the United States, while cotton inspired the start of the Industrial Revolution. However, there was also a negative side to this technical progress and economic prosperity. The trade of tobacco encouraged piracy and smuggling, while its production prompted the beginning of the slave trade. Along with the industrialization and urbanization that cotton production brought to Europe, came air pollution, unsafe factory working conditions, and child labor. 

Link to Relevant Website: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/scotlandshistory/jacobitesenlightenmentclearances/tobacco/index.asp

Photo Citations:

1. http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/7/19/1311091925648/Tobacco-plants-007.jpg

2. http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~hghr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/tobacco-300x198.jpg

3. http://photonews.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/cotton-plant-19.jpg

4. http://3.imimg.com/data3/QD/YM/MY-1491244/dyed-cotton-fabric-250x250.jpg

5. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4nvUn9fvNc/UAiCocqbgwI/AAAAAAAAFU0/sLQK0Dm4Pwg/s1600/Natives+Working+on+Sudanese+Cotton+Plantation+c1930.jpg