Economic Prosperity of Southern Colonies

During the colonial period in America, the Southern Colonies developed distinct economic and social systems that were influenced by their geography, climate, and early agricultural practices. By the early 18th century, the growth of cash crops became a dominant aspect of the Southern economy, profoundly shaping the society and trade patterns of the region.

Which of the following cash crops was primarily responsible for the economic prosperity of the Southern Colonies in the late 17th and early 18th centuries?