Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

How did the plantation system influence the economic development of the United States?

1. It restricted agricultural expansion in the western territories

2. It turned the South into a major producer of cotton used in northern mills

3. It prevented the development of industry in the Northeast

4. It increased federal dependency on tariffs for revenue

The correct answer is: It turned the South into a major producer of cotton used in northern mills

The plantation system significantly influenced the economic development of the United States by establishing the South as a crucial center for cotton production, which became a staple resource for northern mills and, eventually, for international markets. The wealth generated from cotton cultivation, particularly through the labor of enslaved people, created a robust agricultural economy that shaped trade patterns and economic relationships within the country. Cotton quickly became known as "king," driving not only the economy of the South but also fueling industrial growth in the North. Northern factories relied heavily on cotton for manufacturing textiles, which led to the expansion of manufacturing industries in the region. This interdependence between the agricultural South and the industrial North laid the groundwork for a complex economic relationship that would later contribute to tensions before the Civil War. This answer illustrates the profound impact of the plantation system on U.S. economic development by highlighting the shift towards cotton production and its crucial role in the broader economic landscape of the country.