How did the cotton gin affect both small upcountry farmers and large lowcountry farmers? a) it destroyed business for the upcountry farmers who could not afford the new invention, and created a larger profit for the lowcountry farmers. b) it decreased reliance on the plantation system in the south, and the cotton gin led to a growth of cities and industry in the lowcountry of south carolina. c) upcountry farmers could now compete with those in the lowcountry, as it led to a decrease in the number of slaves needed to run a successful plantation. d) it allowed upcountry farmers to obtain wealth and status through cotton and slaves, leading to more similar interests between the two regions.