What was the main economic activity in Georgia during the antebellum period?

During the antebellum period, which refers to the years leading up to the American Civil War, the primary economic activity in Georgia was agriculture. This was largely due to the state's favorable climate and fertile land, which allowed for the successful cultivation of cash crops such as cotton, rice, and tobacco. The introduction and expansion of cotton production, in particular, significantly shaped Georgia's economy and society, leading to the establishment of a plantation system that relied heavily on enslaved labor.

Agriculture not only formed the economic backbone of Georgia but also influenced its social structure and politics. Wealth generated from the agricultural sector played a crucial role in the state's development and was pivotal in the larger context of the Southern economy as it prepared for conflict in the latter half of the 19th century.

Other economic activities, while present, did not dominate the economic landscape to the same extent as agriculture during this period. Manufacturing and mining were much less developed compared to agriculture, and the trade that did occur was often related to the export of agricultural products.