Agricultural Expansion and Slave Movement in the US - Research Paper Example

Task: The trend of agricultural expansion in the US South and its relation to the slave movement from 1850 to 1860 Agricultural expansion is increasing in several settings especially in the Southern Area of the United States. This is attributable to its usefulness when steering growth. Several individuals in the southern area in US recognize the role of agriculture and related practices when enhancing economic and social integration. Indeed, agriculture is a critical pillar that defines economic performance in several settings. It contributes to the GDP growth. Furthermore, Agriculture is a fundamental pillar led to heavy migration in US to enhance cotton production. It also leads to the generation of food items that improve an individual’s wellbeing. This is critical since the agricultural items help individuals to acquire the energy that allows them to perform productively. The products especially cotton helps in improving trade and production of clothes that are basic needs (Mudlak 989). This means that agriculture contributed to the wellbeing of individuals in the southern state in the early years of 1860s in the United States. Agriculture is the economic backbone of a nation making it fundamental to embrace creative and innovative ideals. This enhances quality, quantity and effective processing of the produce to allow consumers to attain value. It is also critical to ensure that the agricultural produce exudes great nutritional value to boost an individual’s wellbeing. Nations that seek to develop vibrant economies as apparent in economic growth, expansion, developing an appropriate work force and healthy setting should upgrade agricultural practices. They should adopt the conventional farming practices that are technological driven. This increases the magnitude and quality of agricultural produce as evident in early days of 1860s in US. The issue and significance of the study Poor understanding on how agricultural practices were enhanced in the southern part of US impedes growth in several settings. Poor knowledge has affected food safety and production of crops. Lack of knowledge hinders production of quality agricultural products with appropriate nutritional content (Boyer 2). This study equips various stakeholders with information on the expansion trends of agricultural production in the southern part of US in the period between 1850s - 1860s, and its relationship with slavery. The research allows people to understand the significance of agriculture to the economy and societal process. This is critical because agriculture contributes to food security, job creation, interdependence and development of effective health standards from 1860s. It played a significant role in improving GDP and health standards in the southern states of the US. The results are apparent in increased production of potential crops with specific reference to cotton. This enhanced commercial and human development (Inscoe 1). This information will enable stakeholders understand the need for agricultural growth and adoption of innovative farming practices. This corrects the effects of unconstructive and positive economic externalities that influence agricultural activities. The role of slaves (migration of labor) and agricultural trend in US Slaves propelled the expansion of agricultural practices or farming activities in the Southern part of US. The slaves were instrumental in providing the requisite farm services in 1850s to 1860s when there was a strong need for growth (Inscoe 1). Their services enabled the areas whose agricultural production was declining before 1850s to gain momentum in the 1860s. This corrected the imbalance between supply of agricultural products and demand that caused severe effects to development. Slaves were used strategically to increase agricultural production and meet individual’s needs especially in the absence of effective farm inputs that could propel farming (Inscoe 1). Slaves served as farmers and harvesters of products, for example, cotton. There was a positive trend of growth in the agricultural sector in the Southern area triggered by intense slave labor. The great migration catalyzed farming activities and production of agricultural products that was satisfactory. Clearly, the initiatives employed after 1850s doubled the production capacity of various commodities. This improved the food capacity of the Southern region that advanced trade and individual wellbeing (Inscoe 1). During the period, production of cotton and other items doubled because of the use of heavy inputs. This enabled the agricultural sector in the region to record growth that ensured sustainable food production. It also enhanced job creation, food safety and health standards of individuals before the abolition of slavery. The Unite States recognizes that it cannot attain growth without enhancing performance in the agricultural sector. The authorities affirm that the sector has the capacity to revolutionize the economy of the nation since agricultural produce is integral in steering both economic and health standards of individuals. The nation seeks to expand its agricultural practices to guarantee the availability of essential nutritional food items that are recommended for good health. Their concern is to increase the production of indigenous crops and food items that are valuable (Atack, Bateman, Haines & Margo 171). What triggered agricultural expansion between 1850 and 1860 The society was recording low agricultural production due to varied reasons in the Southern part of US before 1850s. The low production and performance in the agricultural sector threatened to destabilize economic growth and individual’s wellbeing especially in a setting that was dependent on the cotton trade. This prompted several leaders to formulate viable modalities that could revolutionize the agricultural sector. This entailed promoting farm activities and correcting the existing imbalance in the agricultural sector (Atack et al 172). Key factors that deteriorated farming activities in the region included lack of effective farm inputs, techniques, labor and the environmental complications. The factors hindered agricultural activities, and impeded operations in the sector by encouraging negative elasticity during operation. These impeding factors could be addressed using viable strategies and techniques that advance agricultural production especially cotton. This was achievable systematically by 1860s through the adoption of credible approaches that were set with appropriate performance standards. Lack of farm inputs and labor had been affecting expansion of agriculture in the state before 1850s (Mudlak 989). Farmers or individuals were not able to acquire farming inputs that included tractors, enough workforce and seeds of various crops. This led to the expansion of slavery that enabled the acquisition of enough labor who worked in the cotton farms. The slaves were instrumental in the execution of agricultural activities between 1850s -1860s. This explains the expansion trends of agricultural activities in US and the connection that slavery holds with growth in 1860s recognized as the largest migration of labor in history (Bateman, Foust & Weiss 1). The need for agricultural expansion in the Southern region and modern advances in US There was an increasing need to improve or expand agricultural activities in Southern US in the 1860s. The needs were attributable to the increasing demand for basic wants, for example, food and clothing by various individuals. These demands also focused on the ever-expanding demand for agricultural products (cotton) by individuals and commercial institutions that relied on the produce to drive their activities. The increasing global population especially in the United States led to competition for the available agricultural products. The level of competition resulted to the deficit of agricultural products in several markets (Bateman, Foust & Weiss 12). The needs of the growing population were increasingly surpassing the available resources and agricultural output. The output could not match the needs adequately due to the inconsistent migration patterns and operating externalities. As noted by the world food organization (WHO) the increase in population and demand for food has grown greatly in the 21st century just like early 1850s in US. The growing population has put pressure on food security because food production has not recorded exemplary growth. This call for expansion of agricultural practices to ensure that adequate food is produced to cater for individuals needs. The WHO officials recognize that food insecurity exposes various individuals to extreme hunger and chronic diseases. This leads to loss of life and low economic growth, affecting social integration. These aspects contributed in the expansion of agricultural activities in the southern part of US whose economy was bound to crumple before 1850s (McKenzie 260). The expansion of agricultural activities was vital in improving production of food items, creation of jobs, enhancement of food security, economic performance and alleviation of hunger. These aspects form key reasons why individuals and authorities found it necessary to adopt vibrant agricultural practices in the 1850s. In particular, the expansion of agricultural activities in US in the early days was a noble idea that led to the increase of farm produce. This ensured adequate food to cater for the growing population in the region and enough cotton to advance trade or production of clothes (Carlton & Peter 12) Authorities assert that a nation cannot achieve its dreams without improving its agricultural production. The nation seeks to build a healthy nation where every individual has the capacity to enjoy basic rights. Their aim is to eradicate poverty and hunger among the citizenry. In this regard, the authorities have designed feasible modalities to streamline the agricultural sector and improve food production. The modalities include adoption of modern farming techniques, use of technologically enabled farm inputs and use of quality fertility incentives to boost the soil immunity. The need to improve food security and dependence also explains the significance of expanding agricultural activities (Carlton & Peter 13). This is critical especially with the low food reserve in diverse settings. The expansion will enhance production of farm items that will address consumer needs. It also seek to enhance product reserve quantity that ensures individuals or the nation’s food reserve is high as evident in the late 1860s in US. As noted, food security has been an important element in any jurisdiction. It enhances food reserve and continuous acquisition of basic items that are significant to an individual’s life. Food security is a key concern to various individuals and the authorities in the United States (McKenzie 260). They affirm that food has been the source of energy that drives production. Additionally, a hungry nation cannot be productive. The authorities state that a hungry nation is a country that operates in the brinks of collapse. Such a nation cannot record exemplary performance irrespective of the potential and innovative mindsets. This was areal factor before the 1850 in the southern US where individuals experienced severe hunger, and low trading activities because agricultural production was diminishing. The need for food security has seen the authorities in the nation shift their focus to modern agricultural practices. They are organizing effective sensitization and support programs to agricultural activities to influence various individuals to pursue agriculture with vigor (Davis 2). Their approach is vibrant and attractive to probable farmers who feel that the systematic support guidelines will boost operations in the sector. Consequently, the need to increase job opportunities and economic growth are fundamental elements that expand farming activities in the US. The effects of economic externalities in the agricultural growth Economic externalities are the existing opportunities in the market that are not exploited fully. Their exploitation may be hindered by various factors that range from economic, technological and social issues. Indeed, economic externalities (positive and negative) influence agricultural activities by creating an operating lag that compromises production. In US, the economic externalities had a great impact on the agricultural sector in the 1850s. It led to the reduction of agricultural production that affected satisfaction of human needs and economic growth (Davis 2). It is imperative to note that authorities and individuals in the Southern Part of the nation failed to explore the opportunities that were available to revolutionize agricultural practices effectively especially in the early 1850s. They did not use the available resources, for example, the work force to propel agricultural production to meet the growing needs of consumers (Glatthaar & Gary 12). The inability to use the available resources (slaves) effectively to boost agricultural production in the period before 1850s led to low supply of farm items that could not match the growing demand. That is the supply and demand curve could not match since the average cost of acquisition of items was lower that the average demand. This effect is shown in the diagram below. Price ceiling externality The figure clearly shows the impact of a price ceiling externality on agricultural development in the Southern area in US. As indicated, it is a policy, which sets commodity prices below equilibrium thereby creating acute shortage, due to increased demand. From the diagram, it is clear that the prices of the agricultural products were set low in early 1850s in US that led to the increase in demand while the supply was minimal. This created an evident shortage of agricultural merchandise in the market (Glatthaar & Gary 12). This shortage prompted the need for expansion of agricultural activities in the region. The main aim was to ensure that the evident gap between supply and demand was corrected. This was partially achievable in the period between 1850s and 1860s where slaves were employed on farms in large numbers as a measure to increasing agricultural productivity. Consequently, price floor externality is an element that affected execution of agricultural activities in US. It presented severe effects that include wastage of production resources, inability to acquire basic agricultural needs that are necessary for superior health and trade. Consequently, the authorities adopted viable agricultural practices where slavery was advanced with an aim of correcting such an imbalance. Price floor externality The figure shows price externality effect that was a measure used in correcting the imbalance between supply and demand of agricultural merchandise in the southern state in US. Ideally, it occurs when supply is greater than demand due to diverse economic factors. To correct the disparity, effective strategies were adopted to ensure that supply and demand was at THE equilibrium point. This was to move the capacity demanded from Qd to Qe while quantity supplied is at Qs to Qe. This explains the noble gains that were achievable through the initiative. The expansion approach through economics standpoint A review of the agricultural trend in the southern part of the United States indicates that measures in place to correct the effects of price floor and ceiling externalities. This was critical since the externalities were causing inconsistency in supply and demand of agricultural products consequently impeding performance. The low performance and acquisition of agricultural products that were corrected during 1860s threatened to paralyze the realization of individuals needs (Harris 20). Indeed, price-ceiling externalities were evident in the early days until 1850s when the need for improvement of agricultural production was initiated. This was to eradicate or mitigate the agricultural complications and increase farming activities in the state that had fertile landscape. The aim was to increase the supply of food items and various crops, for example, cotton to match the demand. This aspect was corrected between the period of 1850s and 1860s when new techniques of agricultural practices were adopted in the state (Lazer 447). The authorities recognized the need for sufficient labor (slaves) to improve agricultural production. This saw the inhabitants embark on spirited attempts to recruit several slaves whose contribution on the farms was immense. The use of slaves led to the expansion of agricultural activities and production of cotton. The commitment and application of appropriate technological systems was instrumental in correcting the price floor externalities (Lazer 447). It facilitated production of voluminous agricultural items that ensured that average supply surpasses average demand. This excellent trend promotes fairness since demand should always rank below supply average. Therefore, the initiatives undertaken during the early days in US immensely contributed to agricultural stability that should be embraced by the modern generation. Conclusion Contemporary agricultural practices should match the standards set in the early days in US when huge produce from farms were eminent. Individuals should adopt contemporary techniques of farming and avert slavery as a measure that advances agricultural practices. This improves food production, and enhances sustainability. This information is vital since it enables key stakeholders to understand the need for agricultural growth and adoption of innovative farming practices. This improves food production, and boosts an individual’s capacity of understand the surrounding. Works Cited Atack, Jeremy, Bateman, Fred, Haines, Michael & Margo, Robert. Did Railroads induce or follow Economic Growth? Urbanization and Population Growth in the American Midwest 1850, 1860. Social Science History Vol. 32. No. 2. 2010 PP. 171-197. Bateman Fred., Foust, James & Weiss, Thomas. Large-scale manufacturing in the South and West 1850-1860. The Business History Review. Vol 45, No 1. (1971) PP 1-17. Boyer, Paul S. The Oxford Companion to United States History. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2006. Internet resource. Carlton, David L, & Peter A. Coclanis. The South, the Nation, and the World: Perspectives on Southern Economic Development. Charlottesville: Univ. of Virginia Press, 2003. Print. Davis, Donald E. 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