Did the Industrial Revolution only benefit the North, or were there advantages for the South as well?

Question

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Answer 1

The Industrial Revolution made the South possible. If the British (who, by the way, abolished slave trade in 1807 and slavery in colonies in 1833) did not buy American cotton, slavery wouldn't be profitable. Needless to say, the benefits of the Industrial Revolution accrued mainly to the planters, not to slaves...

Answer 2

There were two types of advantages for the South. First, the powered, mechanized cotton textile mills of the industrial revolution provided a gigantic market for the South's principal staple crop, cotton. Second, the South itself experienced considerable industrial development, not as much as the North, but quite a lot by, say, the standards of many European nations. It should be noted that slaves were employed in many industrial enterprises including railroads.

Answer 3

Until the Civil War broke out, the northern textile mills were a market for the southern cotton, so they could sell their product here in America, after the Civil War began, the South had to ship their cotton to Europe, which was why the Union blockaded the Southern ports. No cotton to Europe = no money to finance the Confederate Army.

Answer 4

Ehh...the South took a LONG time to get to want to use the new inventions that were made during the Revolution. The southerners still wanted to do things the old fashioned way. Lol

Answer 5

It benefited both to a certain degree. There are no absolutes. The south was MOSTLY an agrarian (farm-based) ecomomy, so industry was LESS important, but it was still advantageous for them as well to a certain extent. This is common sense I'm afraid.