Key Cash Crop of the Southern Colonies

The Southern Colonies, established during the colonial period, were characterized by particular economic and social dynamics. These colonies, including Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas, and Georgia, relied heavily on agriculture. The climate and geography of the South facilitated the growth of certain cash crops, which had significant impacts on their economies and societies.

Which of the following cash crops was most prominently produced in the Southern Colonies during the 17th and early 18th centuries?