Question
What explains the rapid changes in cotton production leading up to the Great Depression?
A.
Georgia's cotton crops were impacted by boll weevils and drought.
B.
Synthetic textiles developed during World War I reduced demand for cotton.
C.
Bank failures caused many cotton farmers to lose their savings and land.
D.
The government paid farmers not to plant cotton to control prices.
A.
Georgia's cotton crops were impacted by boll weevils and drought.
B.
Synthetic textiles developed during World War I reduced demand for cotton.
C.
Bank failures caused many cotton farmers to lose their savings and land.
D.
The government paid farmers not to plant cotton to control prices.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The rapid changes in cotton production leading up to the Great Depression can be primarily explained by option **D**: The government paid farmers not to plant cotton to control prices.
During this period, particularly in the 1930s, the Agricultural Adjustment Act aimed to address the falling prices of crops by reducing production. While other factors like pests (boll weevils) and drought (option A) did affect cotton production, the government action to control prices through production limits was a significant and direct influence on the changes in cotton production.
Options B and C are less relevant as reasons for the changes leading up to the Depression. Synthetic textiles did begin to impact cotton demand, but this was not the primary cause of the production changes during that specific time. Bank failures did lead to economic hardship for farmers, but they are not considered a primary catalyst for the rapid shift in cotton production practices itself.
During this period, particularly in the 1930s, the Agricultural Adjustment Act aimed to address the falling prices of crops by reducing production. While other factors like pests (boll weevils) and drought (option A) did affect cotton production, the government action to control prices through production limits was a significant and direct influence on the changes in cotton production.
Options B and C are less relevant as reasons for the changes leading up to the Depression. Synthetic textiles did begin to impact cotton demand, but this was not the primary cause of the production changes during that specific time. Bank failures did lead to economic hardship for farmers, but they are not considered a primary catalyst for the rapid shift in cotton production practices itself.