Question

Why was it important for Florida to be admitted to the Union as a slave state?
(1 point)
Responses

Slaves were needed to operate and expand plantations.
Slaves were needed to operate and expand plantations.

Slave states were guaranteed that fugitive slaves would be protected.
Slave states were guaranteed that fugitive slaves would be protected.

Slaves made up the majority of the crew on most trade ships that crossed the Atlantic Ocean.
Slaves made up the majority of the crew on most trade ships that crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

Slaves were needed to protect ports and harbors.

Answer 1

Slaves were needed to operate and expand plantations.

Explanation: Florida’s economy was expected to be plantation-based, and admitting it as a slave state supported the South’s agricultural labor system and helped maintain slave-state political power.