Final answer:
The Cross Timbers contributed to an economic division within the state by fostering distinct economic activities that varied by region, with the West focused on homesteading and self-sufficiency amidst the backdrop of cattle ranching and mining, and southern areas struggling with a troubled cotton economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cross Timbers played a role in dividing the state economically by creating distinct environments that supported different economic activities, leading to divergent economic development between regions. In the West, the focus was on homesteading with many settlers trying to ensure self-sufficiency and participate in the market economy, while in more southern areas, such as Texas, the cotton economy dominated, but suffered significantly due to the inability to sell cotton during the war and subsequently low post-war prices. This created a contrast to the North, where the panic led to northerners pushing for high tariffs and federal measures to support farmers and stabilize the economy. Moreover, ranchers and miners in the West sought to capitalize on natural resources like cattle and gold, which led to a different economic dynamic in contrast to the agriculturally based economies in other parts of the country.