The cotton cycle in Brazil represents one of the country's economic cycles, which occurred during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Summary of the Cotton Cycle
One of the factors that propelled the cultivation of cotton in the country was the English Industrial Revolution, which increasingly demanded raw materials for the manufacture of products for the textile industry.
Using slave labor and cultivated on large estates (large extensions of land), cotton was largely exploited in the north of the country, especially in the state of Maranhão. They were also cultivated in other parts of the country:Ceará, Bahia, Pará, Pernambuco, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, etc.
In addition to being largely destined for the foreign market, cotton was used in the clothing of slaves. Cotton fibers were already used by the Indians in the production of hammocks.
With the decline of mining in the country, the settlers began to face problems with the crisis. And so that it would not affect the European economy, they began to grow various products in the country:cotton, tobacco, sugar, rice, cocoa, coffee, among others. All of them were cultivated essentially to supply the needs of the foreign market.
Cotton (also called white gold) gained special attention not only with the Industrial Revolution, but above all with the Independence of the Thirteen Colonies, which helped to send the product to England.
The United States was the market leader for the product. Thus, when the United States acquired its Independence (1776) from England, these relations were terminated.
This moment, also called “Agricultural Renaissance” marks the beginning of the industrialization process in Brazil, which would later be consolidated with the coffee culture.
It is worth remembering that during the coffee cycle it did not stop being produced in the country, however, it ceased to be the main economic activity of the colony. Currently, Brazil is one of the largest cotton producers in the world.
Learn more about the Industrialization process in Brazil.
Key Features
In summary, the main characteristics of this period of cotton cultivation are:
- Use of slave labor
- Aimed at the foreign market
- Cultivation on large estates
- Monoculture (production of one product)
Did You Know?
The cultivation of cotton is called cotton farming.
Also know about other economic cycles in Brazil :
- Brazilian Business Cycles
- Pau-Brasil Cycle
- Sugar Cane Cycle
- Gold Cycle
- Coffee Cycle
- Rubber Cycle