A historian compared the size of four 19th-century industrial workforces (in thousands of workers): Britain 1850, 480; Britain 1880, 1,250; U.S. 1850, 230; U.S. 1880, 1,540. The historian argued that by 1880 the U.S. industrial workforce had not just grown but also overtaken Britain's. The strongest support is ______
Which choice most logically completes the text using the data above?
- A
the 1850 U.S. figure of 230.
- B
the 1880 Britain figure of 1,250.
- Ccheck_circle
the rank reversal: in 1850 Britain led 480 to 230, but by 1880 the U.S. led 1,540 to 1,250.
- D
the absolute size of the U.S. workforce in 1850.
Explanation
"Not just grown but overtaken" requires showing the rankings reversed across the period. Choice B captures both the early lead and the late overtaking.