What was the major difference between the North and South in the decades prior to the Civil War?

Question

A.
The North refused to import and export goods, while the South exported numerous crops.
B.
The North was an industrial society, while the South was an agricultural society.
C.
The North had an economy that was highly dependent on slavery, while the South did not.
D.
The North believed in state's rights, while the South believed in a stronger federal government.

Answer 1

The major difference between the North and South in the decades prior to the Civil War was:

B. The North was an industrial society, while the South was an agricultural society.

This distinction highlights the economic divergence between the two regions, with the North focusing on industrialization and manufacturing, while the South relied heavily on agriculture, particularly on cash crops such as cotton, which was supported by the institution of slavery.