Final answer:
The economic development of the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies was chiefly influenced by geographic conditions; New England's hard climate led to industry and shipping, the Middle Colonies combined agriculture with commerce from a diverse society.Option B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chief differences in the economic development of the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies were largely attributed to geographic conditions.
In New England, the rocky soil and harsh climate led to a focus on subsistence farming, fishing, and the early beginnings of industrialization, with cities such as Boston becoming key industrial and shipping centers.
The Middle Colonies benefitted from more fertile land and a mix of agriculture and commerce, backed by a socially diverse mix of ethnicities and religions leading to a pragmatic and accommodative culture.
Southern Colonies, with their warm climate and fertile land, developed an agriculture-based economy dependent on cash crops, such as tobacco and cotton, and utilized slave labor extensively.
The middle colonies, in particular, saw economic growth stemming from a blend of factors including ethnic and religious diversity and patterns of settlement reflective of both Dutch influence and subsequent English control. This region was marked by a pragmatic approach to the varied backgrounds of its settlers.
As for New England, its settlement patterns and industrial growth can be traced back to its specific geographic and social conditions, which included poor soils and a focus on shipbuilding and other industries.
Meanwhile, the Eastern seaboard, most notably the Southern Colonies, had plantations that were labor-intensive and relied heavily on an enslaved workforce.
So Option b is correct answer.