Question

What problems did Southern cotton planters face?

Answer 1

I assume in the period prior the Civil War. I can give at least two (in my opinion).

Explanation:

The Southern cotton planters faced several problems:
1) their workforce was basically entirely composed by slaves, so the idea of freeing them (allowing them to claim the same rights of a normal worker) wouldn't have helped too much their finances;
2) cotton was a monocolture that didn't gave space for diversification, so a possible embargo in export of this unique good produced in the south would have crippled the entire rural economy.