Question

Why was slave labor so important to the economy of the Southern colonies? A. Slaves provided much of the labor on plantations that grew cash crops. B. Slaves provided much of the labor for Southern industries such as ironworking. C. Subsistence farmers struggled to grow enough food without the help of slaves. D. The slave trade was the most profitable industry in the region.. .

Answer 1

Why was slave labor so important to the economy of the Southern colonies?

A. Slaves provided much of the labor on plantations that grew cash crops.

B. Slaves provided much of the labor for Southern industries such as ironworking.

C. Subsistence farmers struggled to grow enough food without the help of slaves.

D. The slave trade was the most profitable industry in the region.

A is the right answer.

Answer 2

Answer: A. Slaves provided much of the labor on plantations that grew cash crops.

Plantations were the main economic activity in the American South during the antebellum period. These plantations cultivated cotton, tobacco, sugar, indigo, and rice. The warm climate, plentiful rainfall and fertile soil meant that the plantations were able to flourish. However, they were labour-intensive, and most workers were African slaves. Planters held dozens, or sometimes hundreds, of slaves, making slave labor very important to the economy of the Southern colonies.