Question

A bar graph titled Percent of U S Workforce Engaged in Farming. The x-axis is labeled 1840 to 1900 by twenty years. The y-axis is labeled Percent of Population from 0 to 80. 1840 is at almost 70 percent. 1860 is at 60 percent. 1880 is at 50 percent. 1900 is at 40 percent.
Which of these factors are responsible for the data shown on the graph? Check all that apply.

increased usage of machines for farming
decline in population
increase in industrialization
decline in common land for farming
fewer nonfarm jobs available

Answer 1

Check:
- increased usage of machines for farming — Yes. Mechanization reduced the number of workers needed per acre, lowering the share of the workforce on farms.
- increase in industrialization — Yes. Growth of factories and urban jobs pulled workers out of agriculture, reducing agriculture's share of employment.

Do not check:
- decline in population — No. U.S. population grew strongly in the 19th century.
- decline in common land for farming — No. This is not a major cause of the drop in farming's workforce share in the U.S. at that time.
- fewer nonfarm jobs available — No. The opposite occurred: nonfarm employment expanded.