During the industrial revolution, how did innovations in technology affect the use of slave labor in the united states? innovations in agricultural technology increased the production of cotton. as a result, southern plantations needed greater numbers of enslaved workers. innovations in agricultural technology meant that fewer workers were needed on southern plantations. as a result, the demand for slave labor decreased. innovations in manufacturing technology increased production in southern factories. as a result, immigrants worked alongside enslaved workers. innovations in manufacturing technology increased the output of industry in the north. as a result, factories increased their use of slave labor.