Plantation complexes in the Southern United States

Plantation complexes were large farms that were very common in the Southern United States (especially during the 1800s). Plantations were owned by wealthy families and run by many workers. The family usually lived in a large house (called the "big house") and the workers either lived in smaller houses on the plantation or nearby (at other plantations). The family would give the workers jobs to do each day, including plowing fields, picking crops, and taking care of the animals. Plantations were very important to the southern economy because they provided food and jobs.