Which colony had a significant focus on tobacco as a cash crop?

Virginia had a significant focus on tobacco as a cash crop due to its favorable climate and soil conditions that were ideal for growing this lucrative crop. Tobacco became the backbone of Virginia's economy in the 17th century, driving the colony's growth and making it a center for agriculture and trade. The profits from tobacco cultivation led to the development of plantations and increased the demand for labor, which, unfortunately, contributed to the rise of the transatlantic slave trade to meet labor needs.

In contrast, Massachusetts was primarily focused on small-scale agriculture and trade, largely influenced by its Puritan settlers and a diversified economy without a heavy reliance on one specific cash crop. Pennsylvania was founded with a broader vision of religious tolerance and agriculture but did not specialize in tobacco production; its economy was more diverse, focusing on wheat and other crops. New York, originally a Dutch colony, also did not emphasize tobacco but rather engaged in fur trading and agriculture suited to its varied geography. Therefore, Virginia's historical and economic focus on tobacco distinctly sets it apart from those other colonies.