What was the main reason that there were 20 times as many enslaved African Americans in the South as in the North by 1800?

Question

A. The North had been gradually freeing enslaved African Americans for many years.
B. The southern economy depended heavily on slave labor.
C. The Second Great Awakening had less effect on the South.
D. Southerners had purchased most of the North's enslaved African Americans.

Answer 1

The main reason that there were 20 times as many enslaved African Americans in the South as in the North by 1800 is:

B. The southern economy depended heavily on slave labor.

The South's agricultural economy, particularly its reliance on cash crops like cotton and tobacco, created a strong demand for enslaved labor, whereas the North's economy was more diversified and gradually moving towards industrialization, leading to a reduction in the reliance on slavery.