Final answer:
The correct option is A). Muhammad Ali's promotion of cotton production in Egypt was similar to European imperialists' substitution of cash crops for food crops, reflecting broader economic changes and social impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Muhammad Ali's promotion of cotton production in Egypt was similar to European imperialists' actions in Africa because both substituted the production of cash crops for food crops. This is evident as both Muhammad Ali and European imperialists encouraged agricultural practices that favored crops like cotton which were in high demand in industrializing nations, often at the expense of local food production. Furthermore, this shift toward cash crop cultivation had significant social implications, affecting the peasantry and altering the traditional agricultural landscape.