Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes the Southern economy during the colonial period?

1. Industrialized and diverse

2. Primarily agricultural, reliant on slavery

3. Focused on trade and commerce

4. Dependent on northern manufacturing

The correct answer is: Primarily agricultural, reliant on slavery

The Southern economy during the colonial period is best described as primarily agricultural and reliant on slavery due to several key factors. Firstly, the region's climate and geography were particularly suited for the cultivation of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo. This agricultural focus led to the establishment of large plantations, which became central to the Southern economy. Secondly, the reliance on slavery as a labor system was crucial for maintaining the labor-intensive nature of these cash crops. Enslaved Africans were brought to the Southern colonies in substantial numbers to provide the labor needed for plantation agriculture, which underpinned the regional economy. Additionally, while some trade and commerce did exist, it was largely secondary to agriculture. The Southern colonies did not develop a diverse industrial base or a focus on manufacturing, which set them apart from other regions, particularly the North. Therefore, the description of the Southern economy as primarily agricultural and reliant on slavery accurately captures its fundamental characteristics during the colonial period.