Which of the following was a significant factor in the Southern economy during the Civil War?

The significance of agricultural dependence on slave labor in the Southern economy during the Civil War stems from the South's reliance on plantation agriculture, which was heavily based on the labor of enslaved individuals. This system was crucial for the production of cash crops such as cotton and tobacco, which were central to the Southern economy and the broader U.S. economy as they represented major exports.

Enslaved labor allowed for high levels of output with minimal labor costs, creating a situation where the economy was fundamentally intertwined with the institution of slavery. As the war progressed, this dependence became increasingly problematic; the mobilization of resources for war efforts led to significant disruptions in agricultural production, which in turn affected both the Southern economy and its society.

In comparison, while industrialization was present in the North, it was minimal in the South at the time, and the South's economy was primarily agrarian. High tariffs primarily affected trade dynamics, while increased immigration did not significantly alter the labor landscape in the South during the Civil War, as most immigrants settled in the North where industrial jobs were more readily available. Hence, agricultural dependence on slave labor stands out as the most significant factor influencing the Southern economy during this period.