Final answer:
The three factors that led Southern colonies to prioritize agriculture were the favorable climate and fertile soil, the availability of labor, and the economic incentives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three factors that led Southern colonies to prioritize agriculture were:
- The favorable climate and fertile soil. The Southern colonies, such as Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, had longer growing seasons and more fertile soil compared to the New England and Middle colonies. This allowed them to cultivate crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo, which were in high demand and brought economic prosperity to the region.
- The availability of labor. Plantation agriculture required a large workforce, and the Southern colonies relied heavily on enslaved Africans to work on their plantations. The institution of slavery provided a cheap and abundant labor force, enabling the expansion of agriculture and the development of cash crops.
- The economic incentives. The Southern colonies had economic motivations for prioritizing agriculture. Cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo were highly profitable and could be easily exported to England. The colonies were able to establish trade relationships, accumulate wealth, and stimulate economic growth through their agricultural practices.