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Difficulty: EasyThe New South and Jim Crow

Read the excerpt below carefully.

"The old South rested everything on slavery and agriculture, white man's land and black man's tenant. The new South presents a perfect democracy... and a diversified industry that meets the requirements of the complex age."
— Henry Grady, speech to the New England Society of New York, 1886

The economic vision of a "diversified industry" described in the excerpt is best illustrated by which of the following historical developments in the South during the late nineteenth century?

  1. A
    The federal redistribution of former plantation lands to African American farmers
  2. The growth of industrial sectors such as textile mills, coal mining, and iron productionAnswer
  3. C
    The establishment of federal regulations ensuring equal wages for Black and white industrial workers
  4. D
    The complete replacement of commercial agriculture by factory labor across the region

Answer

The growth of industrial sectors such as textile mills, coal mining, and iron production represents the correct choice because it directly aligns with the economic modernization and diversification proposed by New South advocates.
The option describing the growth of textile mills, coal mining, and iron production is correct because it reflects the actual industrial growth that occurred in the post-Reconstruction South. Proponents of the New South, like Henry Grady, championed these industries to bring Northern investment and modernization to the region.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus context and the key phrase.
The excerpt by Henry Grady outlines the concept of the 'New South,' emphasizing a shift from a slave-based agricultural economy to a 'diversified industry.'
Understanding the core argument of the promoter helps identify what actual historical developments match this vision.
2
Evaluate the historical realities of the late nineteenth-century Southern economy.
While agriculture remained dominant, the South saw significant growth in industries like textile mills, iron works (especially in Birmingham), and coal mining.
Connecting the rhetorical goals of the 'New South' to concrete economic shifts in the late 1800s is necessary to select the correct answer.
3
Eliminate incorrect options that present historical inaccuracies or misconceptions.
Discard options suggesting federal wage protection, land redistribution, or the complete disappearance of agriculture, as these did not occur.
Differentiating between the ideal of industrial growth and incorrect claims about social or complete structural shifts ensures accuracy.

Key Concept

New South Economic Diversification
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

The New South and Jim Crow

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