Following the Civil War and Reconstruction, the southern economy:
a) expanded as southerners took advantage of industrial opportunities.
b) sputtered and remained dependent on the North.
c) grew as the industries established earlier matured.
d) flourished as cotton fields became productive again.

b) sputtered and remained dependent on the North.

Explanation:

After the civil war, the Southern economy declined and became dependent on the North.

For one, plantation owners lost their labor force when slaves were freed. Besides, the South did not industrialize as much as the North, and because of that, it did not attract immigrants to revitalize the local economy. Finally, many southerners moved to the North in search for better opportunities, depressing the Southern economy even more.

(e) a major consequence of the election was that several southern states