What was the impact of new farm equipment on urban Americans?

Question

A. New machinery contributed to soil erosion, which led to the Dust Bowl. B. New machinery led to overproduction, which led to an increase in the price of food. C. New machinery led to new jobs for individuals such as sharecroppers. D. New machinery led to the banking crisis since farmers were unable to pay off loans.

Answer 1

The impact of new farm equipment on urban Americans is best captured by option D: New machinery led to the banking crisis since farmers were unable to pay off loans.

The introduction of new farm equipment allowed farmers to produce crops more efficiently, leading to increased production. However, this overproduction often resulted in falling prices for crops, which made it difficult for farmers to repay loans they had taken out to purchase the new equipment. As many farmers defaulted on their loans, it contributed to wider financial instability and the banking crisis during the Great Depression, affecting urban areas as well.

While other options touch on related issues, they do not directly address the specific connection between new machinery and the impact on urban Americans as effectively as option D.