The economy in the south had its success because of the use of cheap, slave labor that was profitable. The plantation system came to define the culture and economy of the south. In the southern region’s plantations came to dominate the economy, which created an economy that had fewer small businesses and farms than the north. In addition to that, it had created a society that was aristocratic. The plantation owners thought of themselves as the elite of the society. The use of slaves was a key factor that brought in profits and lead America to the Civil War.
More than any other crop tobacco shaped the development of Virginia. The plantation economy in Virginia was based on cheap labor and land. Initially, tobacco was exported directly to England, France, Holland, The Caribbean Islands, and South America (Coddon 87).Virginia provided more revenue to England than any other colony, through a two shilling export tax on