A way of life in the southern United States during the Early Republic era, characterized by large-scale agriculture on plantations and reliance on enslaved labor.
Related terms
Cotton gin: An invention by Eli Whitney that revolutionized cotton production by speeding up the process of removing seeds from cotton fibers, leading to increased demand for enslaved labor on southern plantations.
Cash crops: Agricultural products grown primarily for profit rather than personal use. In the context of southern plantation life, cash crops like tobacco and indigo were cultivated for sale in domestic and international markets.
Slave codes: Laws enacted in southern states to regulate slave behavior and reinforce slavery as an institution, restricting freedoms and enforcing harsh punishments on enslaved individuals.