Which statement provides the BEST evidence to support the conclusion that the production of cotton was the MOST important economic activity in Georgia during the antebellum period?

Question

Social Studies

Izabelle Copeland

18 August, 06:09

Which statement provides the BEST evidence to support the conclusion that the production of cotton was the MOST important economic activity in Georgia during the antebellum period?

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Answers (1)

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Linda Wagner · Answer 1

The best response is Option C: In 1860, over 87,000 Georgians were working in agriculture, which was almost 40,000 more than all other occupations combined.

Explanation:

Georgia developed an economy that was largely based on agriculture even before it achieved statehood. The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 revolutionized cotton production and the Georgian economy expanded rapidly as a result. The cotton gin was a machine used to separate cotton seeds from the cotton fiber used to weave cloth. Cotton processing used to be very time-consuming, but the cotton gin made it much easier and now 2-3 people together as a team could produce up to 50 pounds a day. Cotton was king from the late 1700s until there was a plague of the boll weevil across the state in 1915.