Question

1. which of the following best describes the social hierarchy in the southern colonies?

a. wealthy merchants at the top, followed by yeoman farmers
b. enslaved people at the top, followed by planters and merchants
c. wealthy planters at the top, followed by small yeoman farmers, and then the enslaved population
d. artisans at the top, followed by merchants and farmers

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the social hierarchy of the Southern Colonies. The Southern Colonies had an agrarian economy centered around plantations. Wealthy planters (who owned large plantations and enslaved people) were at the top. Below them were small yeoman farmers (who owned small farms and might not have enslaved labor or had few), and at the bottom was the enslaved population (who were forced to work on plantations).

• Option a is incorrect because wealthy merchants were more prominent in Northern Colonies, not the Southern Colonies' hierarchy.
• Option b is incorrect as enslaved people were at the bottom, not the top.
• Option d is incorrect as artisans were not at the top of the Southern Colonies' social hierarchy; the economy was plantation - based, not artisan - centered.

Answer:

c. Wealthy planters at the top, followed by small yeoman farmers, and then the enslaved population