what sparked an increased demand for the labor of enslaved africans in the southern colonies?

Question

a. an abundance of indentured servants
b. reliance on the cash crops of sugar and tobacco
c. an increased need for servants in wealthy homes
d. the need for more labor in manufacturing centers

Answer 1

The correct answer is b. reliance on the cash crops of sugar and tobacco.

The Southern colonies had a economy heavily based on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cash crops like tobacco and sugar, which required a significant labor force. This led to an increased demand for enslaved Africans, as plantation owners sought a more reliable and long-term labor source compared to indentured servants, who would eventually gain their freedom.