From this evidence, we can conclude that U.S. agricultural expansion in the early 20th century created a significant demand for labor, which was increasingly met by Mexican workers. The Reclamation Act of 1902 facilitated the growth of agricultural land, leading to labor shortages that were further exacerbated during World War II. In response to these shortages, the Bracero program was established as a means to legally bring in Mexican laborers to fill agricultural roles. This program not only highlights the reliance on Mexican labor in U.S. agriculture but also illustrates the historical context of labor migration driven by economic needs.
Read the following sentences from the text.
“Due to the provisions of the Reclamation Act of 1902, more land in the United States became agricultural. This increased the need for farmworkers and drew more Mexicans across the border….World War II brought new labor shortages to the U.S., and a new temporary worker program, known as the “bracero” program. Braceros were Mexican contract laborers, typically hired for short-term, agricultural labor. At the height of this program, which lasted until 1964, approximately 437,000 Mexican workers traveled annually to the United States for jobs.”
What conclusion can you draw from this evidence?
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