What was the major cash crop that drove the economy in the Southern Colonies?

The major cash crop that drove the economy in the Southern Colonies was tobacco. In the early colonial period, particularly during the 17th century, tobacco became the dominant crop for export, especially in Virginia and Maryland. The high demand for tobacco in Europe made it a lucrative product and encouraged the establishment of large plantations. This, in turn, led to the increased use of enslaved African labor to cultivate and harvest the crop efficiently. The economic importance of tobacco greatly influenced the social and political structures of the Southern Colonies, shaping land ownership patterns, labor relations, and even colonial policies. By identifying tobacco as the key cash crop, we can better understand the economic motivations and developments in the region during this era.