Question
Question 1-7 What was the main economic challenge faced by American farmers in the late 19th century? Agricultural surpluses led to falling prices for their crops. The declining U.S. population led to a reduced demand for food. Intensive farming had reduced the prairies and Great Plains to fields of dust. The anival of European fiminigrants led to overcrowding on the Great Plains.
Answer
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Zephyr
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
O. Agricultural surpluses led to falling prices for their crops.
Explanation
The main economic challenge faced by American farmers in the late 19th century revolves around understanding the historical context of agriculture during that time. The late 19th century in America was a period of rapid transformation for the agriculture sector, characterized by an increase in production capabilities, the use of new farming technologies, and changes to the market and economic conditions. The answer to this question relies on historical economic trends of the era, particularly the phenomenon where the increase in supply of agricultural products led to falling prices and economic difficulties for farmers due to market dynamics, known as agricultural deflation. That period did not face a declining U.S. population that significantly impacted demand for food nor had it been characterized by widespread degradation that turned fertile lands into fields of dust which reflects the issues related to the 1930s Dust Bowl rather than the 19th century. The arrival of European immigrants did create new competition for land, but this was not the primary economic challenge. Therefore, by assessing these contexts, the most accurate characterization of farmers' difficulties is the deflation caused by agricultural surpluses.