Which statement best describes a major disadvantage of the southern economy?
A) The South lacked the infrastructure to transport all the cotton it produced, so planters were frequently forced to burn their crops.
B) Such a large percentage of arable land was devoted to cotton that there were frequent food shortages in the South.
C) The focus on a single industry that was profitable only to a small minority prevented industrial and commercial growth.
D) The excessive profits of the industry led to unchecked price inflation in southern urban centers.
E) The profits of the industry were available to everyone, so the South underwent social upheaval and class conflict.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The southern economy relied heavily on the cotton industry, which was profitable only to a minority of wealthy plantation owners. This prevented industrial and commercial growth in the region, as resources were focused on one industry.

Which Statement Best Describes a Major Disadvantage of the Southern