Final answer:
The South's economy was strong due to cotton exports and reliance on slave labor, though it depended on the North and foreign markets for goods and funds, making it less diversified compared to the industrial North.
Step-by-step explanation:
The slave economy of the South in the 19th century was powerful due to its dominance in the global cotton market. However, compared to the industrializing North, which had a larger population and greater industrial capacity, the South's economic strength was largely tied to its single cash crop, cotton, and its reliance on enslaved labor.
The North produced nine times as many industrial goods and had a more developed rail system. The South's wealth from cotton was significant, making it integral to both American and global economics, but it was also dependent on the North and foreign markets for manufactured goods and financial support.