Cotton Economy

The Cotton Economy refers to a system where cotton cultivation and processing became the central factor in local economies, particularly in the southern United States before the Civil War. It involved large-scale planting, harvesting, and exporting of cotton, which generated immense wealth for plantation owners and fueled industries like textiles. This economy heavily relied on enslaved labor and created interconnected markets for cotton, machinery, and goods. While it brought economic growth, it also entrenched social inequalities and dependence on slavery, shaping the region's social and economic landscape during that period.