New England's Textile industry suffered incredible growth during the 19th century. This was due to the increase in the global demand for cotton at the time. The other positive factor that contributed to this growth was the location of vast cotton plantations in the states of the south.
Plantation owners were finding ways to increase their output of cotton due to the increased demand from the industries up north. The introduction of the technological improvement of the "cotton gin" dramatically contributed to this purpose.
Regarding the textile factories, the introduction of new production machines meant that it was possible to hire less-skilled workers such as women and children.
The resulting outcry across the United States led to a number of antiwar demonstrations—it was at one of these demonstrations that the National Guard shot four protesters at Kent State.
