How did railroads impact the demand for Cotton?

Railroads significantly boosted the demand for cotton by facilitating faster and more efficient transport of the raw material from southern plantations to northern factories and international markets. This improved transportation infrastructure reduced costs and expanded the reach of cotton, making it more accessible to manufacturers. As a result, the cotton industry flourished, leading to increased production and reliance on slave labor in the South. Ultimately, the growth of railroads contributed to the entrenchment of cotton as a key commodity in the American economy.