Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

The Southern colonies were primarily characterized by their plantation economy, reliance on agriculture, and the climate suitable for growing cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo. The correct choice includes North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, all of which were established as distinct Southern colonies during the colonial period.

North Carolina and South Carolina were deeply linked through their economy and culture, with both colonies growing similar crops and participating in trade. Georgia was founded later as a buffer colony against Spanish Florida and as a place for debtors and the poor, which adds to its distinct role within the Southern colonial framework.

Virginia and Maryland, while significant in their contributions to the Southern economy and included in discussions about Southern colonies, are often categorized separately in historical contexts, particularly related to their colonial development and governance. The other states listed, such as Texas and Florida, were not part of the original Southern colonies during the colonial period; they came into prominence later as part of the United States. Arkansas and Tennessee were also not part of the original Southern colonies but became part of the broader Southern cultural and economic sphere after the initial colonial period. Thus, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia were fundamentally significant to the Southern colonial identity.