Final answer:
Georgia's first cities, especially those in the Piedmont region, grew predominantly as centers of trade and agriculture, with major industries including cattle, timber, and Indian trade significantly contributing to the economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many of Georgia’s first cities, like those in the Piedmont region, primarily grew as centers of trade and agriculture. In its early history, when the colony of Georgia’s initial plans to produce luxury goods like silk and wine failed due to unsuitable conditions, colonists turned towards more practical and readily available economic activities. Cattle raising for beef, harvesting timber for various purposes, and engaging in trade with the Indigenous peoples became significant sources of income and sustenance. Cities like Augusta thrived as major centers of Indian trade in the southeast, showing the importance of trade in the region's development.
The prosperity of agriculture over time, especially with crops like peaches, peanuts, and onions, also contributed to the growth of a robust network of small towns and cities within Georgia. This foundation of agricultural success helped initiate a shift from the rural agricultural economy to one with greater industrial development and urbanization, particularly as a growing middle class began to emerge in the South.