Question

Which statements describe the importance of New Orleans to the economy of Louisiana during the Antebellum period?

A) It was a small port that focused on developing a fishing industry.
B) It was a major port for importing and exporting goods to and from the United States.
C) It supplied agricultural products to the people of Louisiana.
D) It was the largest slave market in the South.

Answer 1

During the Antebellum period, New Orleans was a paramount port for U.S. trade, especially in cotton, and was the largest slave market in the South, making it economically vital to Louisiana.

Step-by-step explanation:

The importance of New Orleans to the economy of Louisiana during the Antebellum period can be highlighted by its role as a major port for importing and exporting goods, particularly cotton. Statement B) It was a major port for importing and exporting goods to and from the United States reflects the significance of New Orleans in engaging in international trade, especially with its strategic position at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Steamboats transported cotton, a key product of the Southern economy, to the port where it was then shipped to places like Liverpool, England.

Statement D) It was the largest slave market in the South also holds true as the city's prosperity was tied to the institution of slavery, which was integral in the production and trade of cotton. The slave market in New Orleans was a central component in the domestic slave trade, supplying labor for plantations and contributing significantly to the city's economy.