What economic system was predominant in the Southern states prior to the Civil War?

The economic system predominant in the Southern states prior to the Civil War was an agriculture-based economy, which relied heavily on slave labor. This system was characterized by the cultivation of cash crops such as cotton, tobacco, and rice, which were grown on large plantations. The labor-intensive nature of these crops necessitated a workforce that could handle the demanding agricultural practices, leading to the extensive use of enslaved people.

In this context, plantation owners benefited significantly from the labor of slaves, which allowed them to maximize their profits and dominate the agricultural market. The reliance on this economic model not only shaped the social structure of the South but also had far-reaching implications for American society as a whole, contributing to the tensions that ultimately led to the Civil War. The Southern economy's dependence on agriculture and slavery set it apart from the Industrial North, where manufacturing and industrialization were becoming increasingly prominent.