Who were the tidewater planters?

Tidewater planters were wealthy landowners in the Tidewater region of Virginia and Maryland during the colonial period and early American history. They established large plantations that relied heavily on enslaved labor to cultivate cash crops, primarily tobacco, which became the backbone of the economy in the area. These planters played a significant role in shaping the social, economic, and political landscapes of the colonies, often wielding considerable influence and power. Their practices significantly contributed to the development of the plantation system in the southern United States.