Final answer:
The strongest argument in the defense of Dudley and Stephens was utilitarian. The rationale behind the Declaration of Independence came from John Locke's theories. Cotton was an economic basis for the South during Reconstruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the famous English law case of R v Dudley and Stephens (1884), where the defendants, shipwrecked sailors, were tried for murder after resorting to cannibalism. The strongest defense argument presented was indeed a utilitarian argument, arguing that the killing was necessary to save the lives of the remaining crew. This is a utilitarian approach as it focuses on the greatest good for the greatest number. However, the court did not accept this argument, and the sailors were found guilty, emphasizing the sanctity of human life over utilitarian principles.
The rationale behind the Declaration of Independence, as claimed in several exercises from the content provided, was primarily derived from the theories of John Locke, which is true. Locke's philosophies of natural rights and government by consent heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson's drafting of the Declaration.
Lastly, concerning Reconstruction after the Civil War, it is true that cotton remained a strong economic basis for the South, although the southern economy faced numerous challenges during this period.