Why did the South not develop a more robust manufacturing base?

Question

A. The South had a shortage of factory workers.
B. Farming required few manufactured tools or machines.
C. Southern agriculture was more profitable than manufacturing.
D. Southern investors were more interested in land than industry.

Answer 1

The primary reason why the South did not develop a more robust manufacturing base is C. Southern agriculture was more profitable than manufacturing.

The South's economy was heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly the production of cash crops like cotton, tobacco, and sugar. This agricultural focus generated significant wealth and led many investors to prioritize land and farming ventures over industrial development. As a result, the region did not cultivate a strong manufacturing sector comparable to that of the North, which had a more diversified economy that included significant industrialization.

While options A, B, and D can also be considered contributing factors, C most directly addresses the overarching economic context that shaped the South's development.