Why were yeoman farmers often called "the backbone of the South" in the period from 1820 to 1850?

A) When government officials wanted to oversee how Southern land was cultivated, yeoman farmers challenged the idea.

B)Yeoman farmers grew vegetables, raised animals, and made their own household products—they were very self-sufficient.

C)Yeoman farmers were the men who cultivated large amounts of cotton and sustained the Southern economy.

D)While many Southerners moved North to work in the factories, yeoman farmers remained in the South and cultivated the land.

I think it is C and if not then it has to be B.

One of your answers is right. Does a "yeoman" have a huge plantation with lots of slaves to harvest cotton?

yeo·man.

[ˈyômən]

NOUN

1.
historical

a man holding and cultivating a small landed estate; a freeholder.

2.
historical

a servant in a royal or noble household, ranking between a sergeant and a groom or a squire and a page.

3.
BRITISH

a member of the yeomanry force.

4.a petty officer in the US Navy or Coast Guard performing clerical duties on board ship.

No, because they really couldn't afford to buy slaves during this time period.

The correct answer is B) Yeoman farmers grew vegetables, raised animals, and made their own household products—they were very self-sufficient.

Yeoman farmers were often called "the backbone of the South" during the period from 1820 to 1850 because they were largely self-sufficient. They grew their own vegetables, raised animals for food, and made their own household products. This self-sufficiency allowed them to rely less on external sources and be more independent. They were seen as the backbone of the region because they played a crucial role in sustaining their own households and communities.

To determine why yeoman farmers were often called "the backbone of the South" during the period from 1820 to 1850, let's analyze the options.

A) When government officials wanted to oversee how Southern land was cultivated, yeoman farmers challenged the idea.
This option suggests that yeoman farmers resisted government oversight of Southern land cultivation. While this may highlight their independence, it does not necessarily explain why they were considered the backbone of the South.

B) Yeoman farmers grew vegetables, raised animals, and made their own household products—they were very self-sufficient.
This option points out the self-sufficiency of yeoman farmers, emphasizing their ability to grow food, raise animals, and produce household goods. This trait could indeed contribute to their reputation as the backbone of the South because their self-sufficiency reduced dependency on external sources and supported local communities.

C) Yeoman farmers were the men who cultivated large amounts of cotton and sustained the Southern economy.
This option suggests that yeoman farmers cultivated significant amounts of cotton, which played a vital role in the Southern economy. While cotton cultivation was indeed important during this period, it was typically large plantations, not yeoman farmers, who dominated cotton production. Therefore, this option is less likely to be the main reason for yeoman farmers being considered the backbone of the South.

D) While many Southerners moved North to work in the factories, yeoman farmers remained in the South and cultivated the land.
This option highlights the commitment of yeoman farmers to staying in the South and cultivating the land while others migrated North for work. While their dedication to their farming and their loyalty to their communities may contribute to their reputation, it does not necessarily establish them as the backbone of the South.

Considering these points, option B seems more likely as it focuses on the self-sufficiency of yeoman farmers, which is a significant characteristic that could explain why they were commonly referred to as the backbone of the South during that period.