"The primary commodity of South Carolina is rice, which is cultivated in the low-lying wet soils along the coast. To cultivate this crop, planters rely heavily on the labor of enslaved Africans, many of whom possess specialized knowledge of rice cultivation from their home regions in West Africa."
—Adapted from a description of South Carolina, c. 1740
Based on the passage, which of the following environmental and economic factors best explains the development of the plantation economy in the Lower South colonies?
- A long growing season and warm climate allowed for the cultivation of labor-intensive cash crops like rice, which led planters to rely on enslaved labor.Answer
- BA harsh winter climate and rocky soil forced colonists to establish religious communities focused on subsistence family farming.
- CA reliance on short-term indentured servants from Europe who returned to their home countries after their contracts ended.
- DA lack of English trade regulations, which permitted planters to trade directly with other European empires to maximize their profits.
Answer
A long growing season and warm climate allowed for the cultivation of labor-intensive cash crops like rice, which led planters to rely on enslaved labor.
The correct answer is correct because the geography and climate of the Lower South, marked by a warm climate and long growing season, facilitated the development of plantation agriculture centered on cash crops like rice and indigo. Because these crops were highly labor-intensive, planters increasingly relied on the forced labor of enslaved Africans, who also possessed critical agricultural expertise suited to these environments.
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Key Concept
Chesapeake and Southern Colonies
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