Plantation owners were individuals who managed large agricultural estates, primarily in the Southern United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. They cultivated cash crops such as cotton, tobacco, and sugar using extensive land and labor. These owners often relied on the labor of enslaved people, which was a significant aspect of the plantation economy. The wealth generated by plantations contributed to the economic and social structures of the time. Plantation owners typically held considerable power and influence in their communities, often participating in local and national politics. Their lifestyles were marked by luxury, supported by the labor-intensive agricultural practices of their estates.