Which of the following statements about the putting-out system is true?
• The putting-out system was proposed as an alternative to slave labor and indentured servitude.
• The putting-out system was instituted by the federal government to gain economic dominance abroad.
• The putting-out system was burdensome on workers, who had to go through apprenticeships to become journeymen.
• The putting-out system allowed merchants to rely on unskilled labor, which cut production costs.