The question of black slavery was raised in negotiations over the Declaration of Independence, raising hopes of blacks, both slave and free. Despite an early draft decrying the evils of slavery, in order to get full participation of southern colonies the language about slavery never made it into the final draft. Early hopes that independence might free American blacks was dashed; England ended slavery many years before America. It appears that blacks realized how they had been sold out; while 5,000 fought on the side of the Continental Army, more than 20,000 served the British forces.
Which of the following is the best explanation of why cotton was grown in the Southern colonies? The Southern colonies had nutrient-rich dense soil and mild weather. The New England colonies did not have enough land to grow cotton. The Southern colonists enjoyed farming cotton more than other crops.
