I've known for years how the cotton business worked in the South. BroJoeK provided links years ago which showed the North actually controlled the cotton industry. (Which is why they were making so much profit from it.)
About 45 years ago in a college history course. In a college library, not on the internet. Factors or brokers are how most commodity industries operate particularly when dealing with small business. They did it back then and they still do it today. Just cause its new to you does not mean others are ignorant of it. The Factors serve as marketing, sales agents, bankers and advisors. And no, The Northern banks did not control the Southern planters and especially not their lunatic politicians. They did everything possible to protect them.
And you are still nuts.