Chapter 16: The South and the Slavery Controversy ?Cotton is King!? The South produced more than ? of the world?s supply of cotton Cotton accounted for about ? of all exports after 1840 Britain was the leading industrial power and? Its single most important manufacture was cotton cloth 1/5 of British population worked in cotton manufacturing About 75% of its cotton came from the South Southern leaders believed the British would protect them in a war with the North because of their dependence on the South for cotton? Cotton King The Planter Aristocracy The South could be described as an oligarchy What is an oligarchy? Government run by a few (usually wealthy have the power) Widened the gap between the rich and the poor Wealthy children went to private schools, therefore