What was a cotton gin and what effect did it have on slavery in the south?

The cotton gin was created to help speed up production of cotton. They made it easy to pick the cotton away from its branches ( i guess thats what you call it) and was able to do it faster and in large quantities, which was hoped to be used to end slavery. However, slavery was increased, for then southerners could be able to grow more cotton for more profit. In fact, slave population increased.

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