[Non-Sequitur]

Slavery was dying in the south. Another 20 or so years and it would have been a major liability to most people even plantation owners due to automation.

What automation? The first commercially successful mechanical cotton harvester didn't come along until the 1930's.

[cva66snipe]

What automation? The first commercially successful mechanical cotton harvester didn't come along until the 1930's.

It would have likely came sooner as the south was catching up with the north in developing technology if not surpassing it in some ways. CSS Hunley is a good example. The Civil War left the southern states and industries broke.