What did the large plantation owners control in the south?

Large plantation owners in the South controlled extensive tracts of land, which were primarily used for the cultivation of cash crops like cotton, tobacco, and sugar. They also wielded significant economic power, as their plantations relied heavily on enslaved labor, which they managed to maximize profits. This control extended to local economies and politics, allowing them to influence legislation and social structures that upheld the institution of slavery and their own wealth. The plantation system fostered a hierarchical society that reinforced the dominance of these landowners.