Final answer:
The Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans were important to farmers and merchants because they provided a cheap and efficient method of transportation for goods, particularly cotton. The strategic location of New Orleans also contributed to its role as a crucial trade hub.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans were vitally important to farmers and merchants during the time when the cotton industry was flourishing in the South. Utilizing the river and the port offered a cheap and efficient way to transport goods, specifically cotton, from plantations to markets. Steamboats operated on the river, allowing for large quantities of cotton to be moved swiftly to New Orleans. The strategic location of New Orleans near the mouth of the Mississippi River made it an invaluable hub for trade, as it served as a connection point for the interior of America to the rest of the world.
In essence, the Mississippi River and New Orleans were not just the only ways to get goods to market but provided a centralized trade route that was less expensive compared to land transportation, especially for bulk goods.
Therefore, the correct answer is A: Because they provided a cheap and efficient way to transport goods, although one could argue that aspect C, their central location, also played a role in their importance. However, B, the notion that they were the only way to get goods to market, is not accurate, as there were other albeit less efficient routes.