The cotton cycle refers to the period when this product had great prominence in the Brazilian economy, especially in Maranhão and Pernambuco, between the mid-eighteenth to the beginning of the nineteenth century, being responsible for strong economic growth in the region.

In the colonial period, cotton was also developed in the Captaincy of São Vicente, from where the product was exported to Rio de Janeiro and Bahia.

The main economic activities of this region were sugar production, tobacco cultivation, cattle raising (for the export of hides), and cocoa collecting.

[4][5] In an attempt to solve the issue, the Crown established the Maranhão Commerce Company (1682), which had the monopoly of all commerce in Maranhão for a period of twenty years, with the obligation to introduce ten thousand African slaves (at the rate of five hundred individuals per year), trading them on the term, at fixed prices, as well as supply manufactured textiles and other European goods needed by the local population, such as cod, wines, and wheat flour.

[4] Unable to adequately fulfill its commitments, the company's operation aggravated the economic crisis and increased discontent in the region, which triggered conflicts such as the Beckman's Revolt.

[3][4] In 1755 the Marquis of Pombal created the Grão Pará and Maranhão Company, which was to guarantee the coming of African slaves to the colony, with a monopoly on navigation and foreign trade, as well as provide credit for local producers and the introduction of better agricultural techniques.

With the growing demand for cotton, a fundamental raw material for the English textile industry, as well as the interruption of American exports due to the United States War of Independence, declared in 1776, the colony experienced strong economic growth.

[9] From 1820 on, with the return of the United States to the international market, with higher productivity and more advanced techniques, the Maranhão economy lost strength, with a 70% drop in prices.