Which of the following historical developments from the period 1450–1750 (C) E. most inspired the instructions indicated in the fifth paragraph to boycott foreign cloth?

(A) The conquest of India by rival Muslim empires (B) The development of joint-stock companies (C) The importation of food crops from the New World (D) The African slave tradeExplanation: The boycott of foreign cloth referred to in the passage was intended to help free India from foreign rule. Therefore, eliminate any answer choice that would not result in foreigners coming to rule India. Choices (C) and (D) fall into this category, so eliminate them. While the Mughals did make gains in India during this period, the ultimate rulers of India were the British via the British East India Company, so eliminate (A). Choice (B), the development of joint-stock companies, is correct.