Plantation Economy

A plantation economy is a system where large-scale agricultural operations focus on the cultivation of specific cash crops, such as tobacco, sugar, coffee, or cotton. These plantations often rely on labor-intensive practices and historically used enslaved or migrant workers. This economic model emphasizes export, utilizing favorable climate and soil conditions, but can lead to social inequalities and environmental degradation. Plantation economies were prominent in regions like the American South, the Caribbean, and parts of Brazil, shaping their economic and social structures significantly. The legacy of these systems continues to influence societal dynamics in post-plantation societies.