Read the following excerpt from Thomas Paine’s introduction to Common Sense, and then answer the questions that follow. Which of the following statements best describes the main idea of this passage? America caused its own problems. America’s cause was important to all people. Britain should declare war on America and execute its leaders.

In 1914, alabama produced 1.7 million bales of cotton, but three years later produced only 515,000, bales. meanwhile, in georgia, 5.2 million acres of land was dedicated for cotton production in 1914, but by 1923 there were just 2.6 million acres used for growing cotton. all of this was the result of the work of a tiny insect: the boll weevil. alabama and georgia first felt the effects of the boll weevil at different times. what would account for this difference in timing?