The Cotton Kingdom refers to the region of the United States that was heavily dependent on cotton as its primary agricultural product and economic base before the American Civil War. This region primarily encompassed the southeastern states, including South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and parts of Tennessee. These states had fertile soil well-suited for cotton cultivation, a warm climate that supported year-round cotton growth, and access to waterways for transportation.
The Cotton Kingdom thrived from the early 19th century until the onset of the Civil War in 1861. Cotton became the most significant cash crop in the United States, and the South dominated global cotton production. Due to its economic importance, cotton had a profound impact on various aspects of southern society, politics, and the nation as a whole, leading to tensions over issues such as slavery, the balance of power, and economic interests.