Question

From 1840 to 1860, the price of a "prime field hand" increased by about what percentage?

1) 80 percent
2) less than 10 percent
3) declined about 15 percent as the supply of slaves in the internal slave trade increased
4) so inexpensive that the slaveholding class grew to include nearly two-thirds of southern whites
5) declined because labor-intensive agricultural work became less popular in the South

Answer 1

From 1840 to 1860, the price of a 'prime field hand' increased by about 100 percent due to inflation and the rising importance of enslaved laborers in the cotton market.

Step-by-step explanation:

From 1840 to 1860, the price of a 'prime field hand' increased by about 100 percent. During this time, prices had nearly doubled as a result of standard inflation and the increasing importance of enslaved laborers in the cotton market. For example, in 1845, 'prime field hands' sold for an average of $1,600, which was a significant increase from the average cost of $700 in 1838.