Which group in the southern colonies had the most political power?

The planters of the tidewater region,Also supported by slave labor, held most of the political power and the best land. They built great houses, adopted an aristocratic way of life and kept in touch as best they could with the world of culture overseas.

the completion of the erie canal spurred the first great westward movement of american settlers, gave access to the rich land and resources west of the appalachians and made new york the preeminent commercial city in the united states.

b. major john c. frémont led a rebellion called the bear flag revolt.

explanation:

during the bear flag revolt, from june to july 1846, a small group of american settlers in california rebelled against the mexican government and proclaimed california an independent republic. the republic was short-lived because soon after the bear flag was raised, the u.s. military began occupying california, which went on to join the union in 1850. the bear flag became the official state flag in 1911.