How did the shift in cotton production change the economy of Georgia

Cotton has played a huge role in both the economy and history of Georgia, and continues to a major economic factor in the state today. Cotton was first planted in colonial Georgia in 1734, and Georgia was the first colony to produce cotton commercially. But its scope and success were limited. The only places cotton could be grown successfully in colonial times was along the coast - where the growing season was very long. The type cotton grown here was thus called Sea Island cotton; its seed and fiber could be easily separated, making it less labor intensive than the short-staple variety of cotton.