was cotton a cash crop during the colonial period in Georgia?

Answer 1

Yes, cotton was a significant cash crop in Georgia during the colonial period, particularly in the late 18th century and into the early 19th century. Although other crops such as rice and indigo were more dominant in the earliest years of settlement, the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 made cotton cultivation much more profitable and efficient. This led to an increase in cotton production, which became a central part of Georgia's economy and agriculture, especially with the rise of the plantation system. By the early 19th century, cotton had established itself as a leading cash crop in Georgia and the wider southern United States.