The Confederacy faced economic hardship during the Civil War. As part of its military strategy, The Union executed a maritime blockade that lasted between 1861 and 1865, which prevented the entrance of goods to the southern states.
As a response to this, the Confederacy ordered to prioritize the growth of crops that could serve as food for the residents and the army. This also affected its cotton industry, as the lands that were once used for the growth of this good, were now used for the production of food.