What was the primary economic industry in the New South post-Civil War?

The primary economic industry in the New South after the Civil War was agriculture, with an emphasis on cotton production. Following the war, the South sought to rebuild its economy, which had heavily relied on agriculture before the conflict. Cotton re-emerged as a vital crop due to its profitability and the region's favorable climate for cotton cultivation. This industry was foundational in providing employment and economic stability, especially for many sharecroppers and tenant farmers who worked lands that were once part of large plantations.

While manufacturing and industry did gain traction in the New South, especially later in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, agriculture remained the dominant economic force for a significant period after the conflict. The other choices, such as mining and extraction, played a role in certain areas, but they were not as central to the economy as cotton farming. Technology and innovation were also developing in the South but did not supplant agriculture as the primary economic driver in the immediate post-war years. Thus, cotton production was crucial in shaping the economic landscape of the New South.