What is the meaning of this quotation'thus the plantation system could be profitable even when it literally killed off its own workers'?

This quotation highlights the brutal reality of the plantation system, where economic gain was prioritized over human life. It suggests that the system's profitability was derived from exploiting enslaved laborers, who were often worked to death under harsh conditions. This starkly illustrates the moral depravity of such economic practices, where the relentless pursuit of profit led to the dehumanization and destruction of individuals. Ultimately, it underscores the unsustainable nature of a system built on human suffering.