Here are some key factors that contributed to this forced migration:
- The Expansion of Cotton Plantations: In the early 19th century, cotton became a highly profitable crop due to the invention of the cotton gin. This spurred a growth in cotton production in the southern states, particularly in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. To meet the increasing demand for labor, enslaved people were forcibly moved from the older plantation states in the East (e.g., Virginia, Maryland) to the newer "Cotton South."
- Speculation and Sale of Slaves: As the market for cotton increased, the price of enslaved people also rose. Some slave owners took advantage of this opportunity by breeding and selling enslaved to make money. Large planters and speculators purchased these individuals and transported them to plantations in the deep South to be leased out as field hands. This internal slave trade created a market for enslaved people to fill the rapidly growing cotton market.
- Desire for a Subordinate Workforce: Southern plantation owners wanted to maintain a subordinate workforce. The forced migration of enslaved people enabled them to disperse enslaved communities to prevent organized resistance and maintain political control, especially in newly acquired territories like Texas and Louisiana.
It's important to note that forced migration resulted in the breakup of families, separation from communities, and significant physical and emotional trauma for enslaved individuals. These forced relocations and internal trafficking played a pivotal role in perpetuating the oppressive institution of slavery in the Antebellum South.