During the 1800 there was a big economic boom in the northern states. However, the south also had cotton as a leading cash crop during the 1800s.
1960 would be the correct year.
Samuel Gompers began the federation of labor.
In this excerpt, the word tension means discomfort. Dr. King is saying that a certain level of discomfort is necessary for growth as a country. The group(s) that have been oppressing the black community are to expect nothing short of discomfort. Facing difficult emotions is the only way that we, as a community, can make any sort of change.