The Cottonocracy in the Southern United States was a term used to describe the wealthy and powerful class of planters who dominated the economy and politics of the region in the mid-19th century. These planters amassed significant wealth and influence through the cultivation and sale of cotton, which was the primary cash crop in the South during that time. The Cottonocracy held immense social and political power, often controlling the state legislatures and shaping policies in favor of their economic interests.
