What type of farms were typical of North Carolina during its early development?

The early development of North Carolina was characterized by small self-sufficient tobacco farms rather than large plantations. This agricultural model reflected the state's geography and the social structure of its early European settlers, who were primarily small landowners rather than wealthy plantation owners.

These small farms were often family-operated and focused on growing enough crops to sustain the household while also producing tobacco for trade. This contrasts with other colonies, such as Virginia, where larger plantations dominated the landscape and relied heavily on slave labor for the cultivation of tobacco on a grand scale. In North Carolina, the farming practices were more communal, with a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency and local trade.

The choice of tobacco is significant as it was a lucrative cash crop that gained popularity, but the method of farming in North Carolina remained accessible to the average settler rather than favoring the plantation system prevalent in other Southern colonies. This distinction is crucial in understanding the economic and social dynamics of early North Carolina.