Cotton is King

"Cotton is King" refers to the historical significance of cotton production, especially in the American South, where it became the dominant cash crop in the 19th century. This phrase highlights cotton’s economic power, driving the region's wealth and labor systems, heavily reliant on enslaved labor. It also influenced the social and political landscape, contributing to tensions leading to the Civil War. Cotton's profitability underpinned the Southern economy, impacting trade and industry, and played a key role in the global textile market. Essentially, it emphasizes cotton's critical role in shaping both local economies and broader historical events.