What was the role of railroads in Georgia's development during the 19th century?

The role of railroads in Georgia’s development during the 19th century was primarily to transport goods and facilitate trade. Railroads significantly enhanced the state’s economic growth by providing a faster and more efficient means of shipping agricultural produce and manufactured goods to markets. This transportation network allowed for the linking of rural areas, where most of Georgia's agriculture was centered, to urban centers and ports, thus broadening access to commerce and trade networks.

As a result, the railroads played a crucial part in the expansion of the economy, enabling not just local trade, but also connecting Georgia to national markets. This connectivity was essential for the growth of industries and the influx of goods, which in turn stimulated agricultural and industrial development throughout the region.

While promotion of tourism, military support, and urban development were aspects that railroads could influence, they were secondary to their primary function of transporting goods and facilitating trade, which was the cornerstone of Georgia's economic transformation during that era.