What does the gang labor system entail?

The gang labor system is characterized by supervised groups of workers performing tasks collectively under the guidance of an overseer, often extending from sunrise to sunset. This method was particularly prevalent on plantations, where large groups of enslaved individuals or laborers would work together on agricultural tasks. The intention of this system was to maximize productivity through constant supervision and structured work hours, contributing to efficient output of crops, particularly in the cotton and tobacco industries.

The other choices reflect different labor systems or practices. For instance, completing tasks at one's own pace describes a more independent or piecework approach, which contrasts with the regimented nature of gang labor. Work only during specific seasons does not capture the year-round demand placed on laborers in agricultural settings under the gang labor system. Lastly, independent farming with minimal oversight indicates a lack of supervision and structure, which is fundamentally at odds with the organized and closely monitored environment of gang labor.