Question

By 1860, slaves were concentrated in the

a) deep south states of south carolina, georgia, alabama, mississippi, and louisiana.
b) atlantic coast states of virginia, north carolina, and florida.
c) new southwest states of texas, arkansas, and the indian territories.
d) mountain regions of tennessee, west virginia, and kentucky.
e) border states of delaware, kentucky, missouri, and maryland.

Answer 1

By 1860, the largest concentration of enslaved people was in the Deep South states, due to the region's heavy investment in agricultural economies requiring large amounts of slave labor.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct option is A:

By 1860, slaves were primarily concentrated in the Deep South states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This is known from historical references that indicate these areas had larger populations of both slaveholders and enslaved people due to the intense agricultural demands of crops like cotton.

During the antebellum period, the enslavement of African Americans was a fundamental aspect of economic growth in the American South. While there were free Black populations in the Upper South and border states, and some regions had pro-Union sentiments, the Deep South was much more heavily invested in the institution of slavery. Slaves were brought from various parts of the country, including the East and West, to markets like New Orleans, which had become a major commercial center facilitating the expansion of slavery.

The cotton boom of the mid-1830s significantly increased the enslaved population in the South, further entrenching the horrific practice in the region. As such, by 1860, the reliance on and concentration of enslaved African Americans were greatest in the Deep South states.