Which invention significantly extended the life of the American slave system?

The cotton gin was a crucial invention that significantly extended the life of the American slave system by dramatically increasing the efficiency of cotton processing. Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, the cotton gin mechanized the labor-intensive process of separating cotton fibers from seeds. This allowed for much larger quantities of cotton to be processed in a shorter time frame, which in turn greatly increased the profitability of cotton cultivation.

As demand for cotton soared—particularly due to the rise of textiles in both the United States and Europe—the plantation system became more entrenched. Cotton became a dominant cash crop, and the need for labor to cultivate and harvest the cotton fields resulted in a stronger reliance on slave labor. Thus, the cotton gin not only made cotton farming more profitable but also reinforced the economic structures that supported slavery, prolonging its existence in American society.

In contrast, while the reaper, steam engine, and textile machines contributed to advancements in agriculture and manufacturing, they did not have the same direct impact on the structure and survival of the slave system as the cotton gin did.