What important crop was Georgia historically known for producing during the antebellum period?

Georgia was historically known for producing cotton during the antebellum period due to its warm climate, fertile soil, and the invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793. This innovation made it much easier to separate cotton fibers from seeds, significantly increasing the efficiency of cotton production. Cotton became the dominant cash crop in Georgia and played a crucial role in the state's economy, serving as a driving force behind the expansion of plantations and the demand for slave labor. The cultural and economic landscape of the state evolved around cotton cultivation, making it a symbol of the antebellum South's agricultural wealth and system.

While rice and tobacco were also cultivated in various parts of the South, they did not reach the same level of economic importance in Georgia as cotton did. Wheat was grown but was not a dominant crop in the region during this period. The prominence of cotton in Georgia's history has left a lasting legacy, influencing social, economic, and political developments in the state.