Which of the following contributed the MOST to the xpansion of African slavery in North America during the late eighteenth century?

To determine which factor contributed the most to the expansion of African slavery in North America during the late eighteenth century, we can consider several key factors: 1. **Economic Demand for Labor**: The growth of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and later cotton created a high demand for labor. The plantation system relied heavily on enslaved labor to maximize profits. 2. **Transatlantic Slave Trade**: The continuation and expansion of the transatlantic slave trade facilitated the importation of a large number of enslaved Africans to North America. 3. **Legal and Social Structures**: Laws and social norms that supported slavery became more entrenched during this period, making it easier for slaveholders to maintain and expand their operations. 4. **Technological Advances**: Improvements in agricultural technology and practices increased the efficiency of plantations, further increasing the demand for enslaved labor. 5. **Population Growth**: The natural increase of the enslaved population in North America also contributed to the expansion of slavery, as enslaved people had children who would also be enslaved. Among these factors, the **economic demand for labor** driven by the plantation system is often considered the most significant contributor to the expansion of African slavery in North America during the late eighteenth century. This demand created a cycle that perpetuated the need for more enslaved individuals, leading to the growth of the slave trade and the entrenchment of slavery in American society.