Question
While most Americans enjoyed relative prosperity for most of the 1920s, the Great Depression for the American farmer really began after World War I. Much of the Roaring '20s was a continual cycle of debt for the American farmer, stemming from falling farm prices and the need to purchase expensive machinery. When the stock market crashed in 1929 sending prices in an even more downward cycle, many American farmers wondered if their hardscrabble lives would ever improve.
–“The Farming Problem,”
USHistory.org
What difficulties did American farmers face leading up to the Great Depression? Check all that apply.
problems growing most kinds of crops
rising debt from buying farm equipment
lack of demand for agricultural products
loss of income from a drop in farm prices
fluctuating prices after a stock market crash
Answers
GPT-4o mini
American farmers faced several difficulties leading up to the Great Depression, including:
- **Rising debt from buying farm equipment**: Many farmers took on loans to purchase expensive machinery, which contributed to their financial struggles.
- **Lack of demand for agricultural products**: After World War I, the demand for food and agricultural products decreased, putting pressure on farmers.
- **Loss of income from a drop in farm prices**: Falling prices for crops meant that farmers earned less for their products, making it difficult to cover expenses.
- **Fluctuating prices after a stock market crash**: The stock market crash in 1929 exacerbated the situation, leading to even greater price drops for agricultural products.
The difficulty of growing most kinds of crops isn't specifically mentioned as a widespread issue in this context, so it may not apply as directly as the other factors. Therefore, the correct options would be:
- Rising debt from buying farm equipment
- Lack of demand for agricultural products
- Loss of income from a drop in farm prices
- Fluctuating prices after a stock market crash
- **Rising debt from buying farm equipment**: Many farmers took on loans to purchase expensive machinery, which contributed to their financial struggles.
- **Lack of demand for agricultural products**: After World War I, the demand for food and agricultural products decreased, putting pressure on farmers.
- **Loss of income from a drop in farm prices**: Falling prices for crops meant that farmers earned less for their products, making it difficult to cover expenses.
- **Fluctuating prices after a stock market crash**: The stock market crash in 1929 exacerbated the situation, leading to even greater price drops for agricultural products.
The difficulty of growing most kinds of crops isn't specifically mentioned as a widespread issue in this context, so it may not apply as directly as the other factors. Therefore, the correct options would be:
- Rising debt from buying farm equipment
- Lack of demand for agricultural products
- Loss of income from a drop in farm prices
- Fluctuating prices after a stock market crash