What main economic crop was crucial to Georgia's agriculture from the late 18th to mid-20th century?

Cotton was the main economic crop that played a pivotal role in shaping Georgia's agriculture from the late 18th century through the mid-20th century. The cultivation of cotton became a fundamental aspect of Georgia's economy, especially during the 19th century when the invention of the cotton gin significantly increased production efficiency. This crop not only contributed to the state's wealth but also played a central role in the broader economic framework of the Southern United States, making it a key export commodity.

The demand for cotton, driven by the textile industry in both the U.S. and Europe, further entrenched its importance in Georgia. It had far-reaching implications for social structures, including the reliance on slave labor in the cotton fields, which tied the state's economy to this single crop for generations.

The other crops listed, while important in their own right, did not have the same level of economic impact or influence on Georgia's history as cotton did. Tobacco, for instance, was significant in other Southern states but did not define Georgia's agricultural identity. Corn and wheat were also cultivated, but they lacked the same centrality to the state's economy and export activities that cotton maintained throughout this period.