{"id":10419,"date":"2023-12-02T05:35:13","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T04:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=10419"},"modified":"2023-12-02T05:35:13","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T04:35:13","slug":"how-the-mississippi-river-valley-turned-red","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/how-the-mississippi-river-valley-turned-red\/","title":{"rendered":"How The Mississippi River Valley Turned Red"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Historical Context <\/h2>\n

The Mississippi River Valley has long been a pivotal region in American History. From the days of early exploration, the Mississippi provided an essential conduit for travel and trade between France, Spain and the native tribes of North America. It also served as an important geographic barrier which kept the colonies separated from the Native American tribes, who lived on the west side of the river.
\nFollowing the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, American settlers began to expand westward. Many of these new settlers were lured by the promise of cheap land, which made the Mississippi River Valley an attractive destination. However, the introduction of American immigrants and expansion of agriculture began to disrupt Indigenous communities, who had lived in the area for centuries.<\/p>\n

Reduction of Native American Power<\/h2>\n

The arrival of American settlers caused consternation among the local Indigenous tribes, and they began to build defensive walls along the Mississippi River, in order to protect their land and their way of life. The American government was determined to push the Indigenous tribes off their lands, and they passed a series of policies which drastically reduced Native American autonomy.
\nIn 1808, President Thomas Jefferson declared that all Native American land east of the Mississippi was to be ceded to the United States government. This allowed American settlers to claim Native American land, often by force. In addition, US policies forced the Indigenous tribes to sell their land at low prices, or face eviction.<\/p>\n

Agricultural Changes<\/h2>\n

As American settlers moved into the Mississippi River Valley, they began to implement a new form of agricultural production. The settlers began to cultivate cotton on a large scale, using a cultivation system known as monoculture. This agricultural model is extremely intensive, and requires large inputs of labour and capital.
\nIn addition, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides began to damage the traditional fertility of the land. This soil depletion resulted in poor crop yields and a rapid decline in the quality of the soil. In order to combat this problem, farmers began to use artificial fertilizers, which further exacerbated the environmental damage.<\/p>\n

Economic Domination<\/h2>\n

The economic domination of the Mississippi River Valley was made possible by the decline of Native American power. As their autonomy diminished, Indigenous communities were unable to resist the domination of American economy. The rise of large-scale cotton cultivation transformed the Mississippi River Valley into a major economic hub. By the middle of the 19th century, the region was one of the most prosperous agricultural centers in the United States.
\nHowever, the economic success of the Mississippi River Valley came at a great cost. The exploitation of the land caused severe soil erosion, which in turn caused a rapid decline in crop yields. As the soil deteriorated, the decline in crop yields was further intensified. This led to an increase in poverty and deprivation amongst the region’s residents, as well as a further decline in the quality of life.<\/p>\n

Environmental Impact<\/h2>\n