What factor significantly accounted for Georgia's prosperity during the antebellum period?

During the antebellum period, Georgia's economic prosperity was significantly anchored in the cotton industry and the accompanying institutional system of slavery. The state's climate and geography provided ideal conditions for cotton cultivation, leading to its designation as the "Cotton State." As the demand for cotton surged, especially with the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the growing textile mills in the North and overseas, Georgia capitalized on this by developing a large agricultural economy centered around cotton.

This system was heavily reliant on enslaved labor, which allowed planters to maximize their production output. The profitability of cotton farming led to increased investments in land and slaves, resulting in a cycle that perpetuated this economic structure and strengthened Georgia's overall wealth during this time. The wealth generated from cotton plantation agriculture influenced various sectors, including trade, which further supported the economy.

In contrast, although mining and urbanization were present, they did not play a pivotal role in Georgia's overall economic framework compared to cotton. Similarly, while trade with neighboring states was beneficial, it was not as dominant a factor in driving Georgia's prosperity as the cotton/slavery system that became central to the state's identity and economy during the antebellum period.