Describe the origin of cultivated American cotton.

The history of American cotton cultivation is rich and complex, deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of early indigenous peoples of the Americas. As a prized natural resource, cotton's journey in the Americas can be traced back thousands of years, notably to around 5000 BCE. During this time, regions such as Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America saw the beginnings of cotton domestication. This gradual process involved refining the cotton plant to produce desirable traits like longer fibers and more resilient crops.

Cotton would gain further prominence with the arrival of Spanish and Portuguese explorers during the 16th century, who introduced the crop to the southern regions of what is now the United States. The plant thrived in the Southern climate, and the area swiftly became a hub for cotton cultivation—a movement that would drastically shape the social and economic landscape of the nation. Notably, the cotton boom in the South cemented it as a central part of America's agricultural economy, especially with the rise of plantation-based agriculture driven by the forced labor of enslaved people.

By the 19th century, American cotton was a dominant force in the global market, serving as the country's leading export. Its economic impact paved the way for the expansion of the textile industry worldwide, linking American agriculture with global trade and industry.

Cotton domestication marks a significant turning point in the history of agriculture and commerce. Originally, wild varieties of cotton possessed characteristics suitable for survival in nature but less so for large-scale agricultural production and textile manufacturing. Indigenous peoples began to domesticate cotton by selecting for plants with specific qualities, such as longer fibers and more plentiful yields.

Domestication allowed for the development of cotton varieties that were more manageable to grow and harvest, and which produced fibers that were longer, stronger, and more suitable for spinning into thread. This selective cultivation over generations led to the enhancement of the natural traits of cotton plants and the eventual rise of cultivated American cotton types, namely Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense. These domesticated species would serve as the backbone of a burgeoning textile economy, shaping societal structures and influencing trade patterns across continents.

Within the universe of cotton cultivation, the Gossypium genus represents various species of cotton plants, two of which are paramount to the American cotton industry: Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense.

Gossypium hirsutum

Also referred to as upland cotton or Mexican cotton, Gossypium hirsutum is the most widely planted species of cotton in the United States. It is prized for its adaptability to different soils and climates, making it the standard bearer of cotton crops. Upland cotton accounts for the vast majority of US cotton production, and its fibers are versatile, used in a wide range of products from everyday clothing to home textiles.

Gossypium barbadense

Conversely, Gossypium barbadense, known as Sea Island cotton or sometimes Egyptian cotton, is noted for its exceptionally long, silky fibers. Its high quality makes it less common and more expensive, often reserved for luxury textiles. This species flourished initially in the warmer climates along the coastal islands and has become synonymous with premium cotton products.

Understanding these two Gossypium species is not just about recognizing different types of cotton; it highlights the diversification within the crop itself and underscores cotton's adaptability and range of applications in various industries.