Lower Mississippi Valley

Definition

The Lower Mississippi Valley refers to the region along the lower part of the Mississippi River, from Memphis, Tennessee down to the Gulf of Mexico. It was a key area for agriculture and trade in early American history.

Analogy

Think of Lower Mississippi Valley as a busy highway (the river) with lots of rest stops (cities and plantations). Goods and people constantly move up and down this highway, making it an economic powerhouse.

Related terms

Cotton Gin: A machine invented by Eli Whitney that revolutionized cotton production in Southern United States including Lower Mississippi valley.

Plantation System: The large-scale agricultural system dominant in southern U.S., especially in Lower Mississippi Valley where crops like cotton were grown on large estates using enslaved labor.

New Orleans: A major port city located at the mouth of the Mississippi River which played a crucial role in trade during colonial times.