Final answer:
It is true that in the 1850s, industry was beginning to replace agriculture as the primary economic force in the United States, marking the Industrial Age. The market revolution and subsequent industrial growth drove people from farms to cities, transforming the American economy from agrarian to industrial. However, agriculture, especially cotton in the South, maintained its economic relevance. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1850s, it is true that industry was beginning to replace agriculture as the driving economic force in the United States. This period, known as the Industrial Age, marked a pivotal shift in the nation's economy.
Prior to this industrial upswing, most Americans were engaged in agriculture, but the discovery and exploitation of new raw materials, the creation of new inventions, and the proliferation of big businesses during the Industrial Revolution led to significant economic and social transformations. By 1870, while the country remained primarily agricultural, there were clear signs of the burgeoning industrial sector.
The market revolution was indeed a critical factor in this economic shift. It facilitated greater production capacity, the ability to transport goods across long distances with improved speed and efficiency, and spurred social changes as people increasingly moved from rural to urban areas in pursuit of industrial jobs. By the late 1800s, the number of industrial workers increased dramatically, underscoring the transition to an industrial-based economy.
It is important to understand that although industry became a powerful economic force, agriculture remained vital to the American economy, particularly in the South where cotton continued to form a strong economic base through the Reconstruction era and beyond.
Hence, Option a is correct.