What was the Lost State of Franklin?

Explanation:

On August 23, 1784, the State of Franklin declared its independence from North Carolina. The independence would prove to be short-lived. That same year, North Carolina ceded its western lands to the United States government, and, in 1796, those lands became part of the new state of Tennessee.

its b they wanted to be able to expand their trade..

the correct answer is b, "fertility rates are increasing, so populations will grow more quickly in the future."