What was the most lucrative New World commodity produced by the English by the later 1600s?Multiple Choicesilversugartobaccorice

Step 1: Break Down the Problem

The question requires us to identify the most lucrative commodity produced by the English in the New World during the later 1600s from the given options: silver, sugar, tobacco, and rice.

Step 2: Relevant Concepts

To analyze which commodity was the most profitable, we need to consider:

• Historical economic data on commodities produced in the New World.
• Market demand and trade routes established during the 1600s.

Step 3: Analysis and Detail

1. Silver: Primarily produced in Spanish colonies rather than English ones, so it is unlikely to be the answer.
2. Sugar: Grown extensively in Caribbean colonies and became a highly demanded product in Europe.
3. Tobacco: Exported significantly from Virginia and Maryland, gaining immense popularity and profitability.
4. Rice: Gained importance later in the 17th century but not to the extent of sugar or tobacco during this specific time.

Based on historical records, both sugar and tobacco were key commodities, but sugar had a more significant market demand and profitability during the late 1600s, especially with its extensive production in the Caribbean.

Step 4: Verify and Summarize

Both sugar and tobacco were lucrative, but sugar emerged as more profitable by the late 1600s due to its widespread consumption across Europe and the establishment of plantations.

Final Answer

The most lucrative New World commodity produced by the English by the later 1600s was sugar.