Cotton Exports and the US Economy in 1860

What percentage of all US exports did cotton make up by 1860?

1) under 35%
2) 35-50%
3) 50-65%
4) over 65%

Final Answer:

By 1860, cotton made up over 65% of all US exports.

By 1860, cotton made up over 65% of all US exports. The United States produced roughly 68 percent of the world's cotton, and nearly all the exported cotton was shipped to Great Britain, fueling its burgeoning textile industry. The cotton industry played a significant role in the economy of the Southern states.

By 1860, cotton exports constituted a significant portion of the United States' economy. Specifically, cotton made up more than 60% of the country's total exports. The production and export of cotton connected the Southern economy not only to the Northern mills but also to a vast Atlantic market. In fact, around 75% of the cotton produced in the United States was eventually sent overseas. This export trend underscores the United States' position as a global leader in cotton production, which, by the mid-19th century, catered to approximately 80% of the global cotton supply. Hence, the correct answer to the question regarding the percentage of US exports comprised by cotton by 1860 is over 65%.