Following the Civil War, the Southern economy was characterized by agricultural devastation.

The war left infrastructure in ruins, with farms destroyed and resources depleted. While agriculture, especially cotton, remained central, the region faced severe challenges, including labor shortages and market instability. Many formerly enslaved people sought land and better opportunities, but systemic obstacles made progress difficult. Overall, the South grappled with widespread poverty and a long, arduous recovery process in the years after the conflict. The conflict had destroyed infrastructure, farms, and resources, leading to widespread poverty and hardship. Although agriculture remained central, particularly in cotton production, the South struggled due to labor shortages and market instability.