Question

1. wheat and corn are known as staple crops because they were the most common things used for food in colonial america and everyone needed to eat. why do you think tobacco was known as a ‘cash crop’?

Explanation:

A cash crop is grown primarily for sale (to generate cash) rather than for personal use. Tobacco in colonial America had high demand in Europe. Colonial farmers grew tobacco to sell it (not for their own consumption) to earn money. It was traded or sold, bringing income (cash) to growers, unlike staple crops (wheat, corn) for sustenance. So its main purpose was commercial gain, hence a cash crop.

Answer:

Tobacco was a cash crop because it was grown primarily to be sold (not for the farmers’ own use) to generate money. There was high demand for tobacco in Europe, so colonial farmers could trade or sell it to earn income (cash), unlike staple crops like wheat/corn which were for food (sustenance). Its main purpose was commercial gain, making it a cash - generating crop.