How did the economies of the Northern and Southern states develop differently? What led to these differences?

Question

Students should describe the economy of each region with specific supporting details that explain what led the economies to develop the way in which they did.
In a very short paragraph

Answer 1

The economies of the Northern and Southern states developed differently due to a combination of geography, natural resources, and social structures. The North became industrialized, driven by abundant water power, coal, and a large labor force, leading to factories and diversified industries such as textiles and machinery. In contrast, the South relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton, supported by a plantation system that depended on slave labor. This economic reliance on a single cash crop, coupled with a lack of industrial infrastructure, limited the South's economic diversification and development. As a result, the two regions evolved distinct economic frameworks, shaped by their unique resources and social systems.