Final answer:
The Queen of the South refers to regions in the southern United States where African cultural and economic contributions were significant during the colonial period. These influences arose from enslaved Africans, particularly in areas such as the lower-Chesapeake (Virginia) and South Carolina, leading to distinctive communities like the Gullah-Geechee. In contrast, the Upland South had different settlement patterns with comparatively less African cultural influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "Queen of the South" likely refers to the historical regions in the southern part of the United States during the colonial period, where the importation and enslavement of Africans heavily influenced the development of the local culture and economy. The Africans arriving in the lower-Chesapeake region, specifically from the Bight of Biafra and West Central Africa (Kongo and Angola), had a profound impact on the ethnicity of the enslaved communities in Virginia. The Gullah-Geechee people, descendants of Africans in South Carolina, are notable for their distinctive culture and heritage, stemming from their ancestors' skills in agriculture, especially rice cultivation.
Furthermore, the American South saw significant growth due to the cultivation and processing of indigo, rice, and cotton. The economic demand for slave labour surpassed the fears of slave rebellions following incidents like the Stono Rebellion. This agricultural pursuit led to South Carolina becoming a major port of entry for enslaved Africans and a key player in the transatlantic slave trade.
With regards to non-African influence, the Upland South, consisting of Southern Appalachia and parts of the American South, experienced different settlement patterns due to poor farming conditions which discouraged plantation agriculture. European settlement in this area, particularly by those from England, Ireland, and Scotland, fostered a distinct folk culture with fewer African elements, compared to the Lowland South.