The cotton industry only became a significant industry, after Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, & concept of mass production, in the late 1700's. While the gin made US short cotton an industry, there were many other industries in this country, such as farming, fishing, mining, coal & steel industries for starters. These industries were based on the backs of men, women, & indentured servants. Read about the Irish & German immigrants who dug the canals & laid rail track (including Chinese )  across the country.

If one wants to get a glimmer of early America, visit a Amish farm & see the callouses on the hands & feet. See the effort that it takes to plant & harvest crops.  Look at the early photos of families, & note how most looked  tired & "scrawny".

This nation was build on the backs of men, women, children, white black, red & yellow, all of whom had the same color of blood.