Final answer:
Tobacco is historically significant as a cash crop, grown for sale rather than for the farmer's own use and often cultivated using slave labor in the Americas. Among the options provided, tobacco fits the definition of a cash crop the best.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cash crop is a crop grown primarily for sale rather than for the farmer's own use. Historically, cash crops have been significant because they are usually a country's or region's primary commodity and can be a large part of the economy. Examples of cash crops include sugar, cotton, and coffee. When considering historical context, tobacco was an important cash crop in the Americas, especially in the southern United States, where it was cultivated using enslaved labor. Additionally, tobacco was the crop that was so controversial that its use was attempted to be banned by monarchs in both Europe and China.
Choice Analysis
- Corn (Maize) which is a staple food crop.
- Rice is both a staple food and can be a cash crop depending on where it is cultivated and the scale of production.
- Tobacco is historically significant as a cash crop and fits the definition well.
- Lettuce is generally considered a food crop rather than a primary cash crop.
Considering this information, tobacco would be the most accurate representation of a cash crop among the options provided.