What economic factor primarily drove the social structure of Georgia in 1860?

The economic factor that primarily drove the social structure of Georgia in 1860 was slavery and cotton production. During this period, Georgia's economy was heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cotton, which was often referred to as "King Cotton." This crop was critical not only to Georgia's economy but also to the broader Southern economy, which depended on cotton for both domestic use and export.

The use of enslaved labor was integral to the cotton production system, as plantations required a substantial workforce to plant, tend to, and harvest the cotton crops. The existence of slavery not only shaped the economic landscape but also influenced the social hierarchies in the state, creating a class-based society where planters held significant power and influence. Wealth was concentrated among those who owned large plantations and numerous enslaved individuals, while the majority of the population, including free whites and enslaved Africans, occupied lower social and economic positions.

Other economic factors present during that time, such as the mining industry or railroad expansion, played lesser roles in shaping the overall social structure of the state. While textile manufacturing did emerge in certain areas, it was not the primary driver of Georgia's economy or social hierarchy in 1860 compared to the dominance of cotton. Thus,