Part 1 Progressive Era Review

Why did the overproduction of crops on the Great Plains lead to problems for farmers?

• It caused crop diseases to spread faster.

• It resulted in decreased prices for crops.

• It improved the quality of the soil.

• It made farming equipment cheaper.

Analyze how railroad companies contributed to the financial struggles of farmers during this period.

• By providing free transportation for crops.

• By charging extremely high prices to ship crops.

• By giving farmers discounts on shipping.

• By building more railroads to remote areas.

What was the main purpose of the Interstate Commerce Act as it relates to farmers?

• To ensure railroad companies charged fair rates to farmers

• To provide free seeds to farmers

• To ban the use of railroads for transporting crops

• To allow only farmers to own railroads

Explain how the Grange movement influenced government policy to benefit farmers.

• By lobbying Congress to pass laws that provided financial help to farmers

• By organizing protests against city governments

• By encouraging farmers to move to urban areas

• By creating new types of crops for export

What was another name for the Populist Party?

• The Federalist Party

• The Democratic Party

• The People’s Party

• The Republican Party

Why might the Populist Party have been important for common laborers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

• It focused on the interests of wealthy industrialists.

• It advocated for the rights and needs of common workers and farmers.

• It promoted only urban development.

• It supported only international trade policies.

Why did the Populist Party support the increased coinage of silver?

• To increase the money supply and make it easier for farmers to pay off debts

• To decrease the value of crops

• To reduce the number of banks

• To limit the use of paper currency

How did the Populist Party believe regulating railroad shipping fees would benefit rural communities?

• By preventing price gouging and providing fairer access to transportation and communication services

• By making railroads more expensive for farmers

• By eliminating the need for telegraphs and telephones

• By privatizing all railroads

Why was the Populist Party considered a "third party" in the context of U.S. politics?

• Because it was the most popular party in the country

• Because it was not as widely supported as the Republican or Democrat Parties

• Because it only participated in local elections

• Because it was supported by both Republicans and Democrats

In the 1892 presidential election, approximately what percentage of the popular vote did the Populist Party win?

• 2%

• 8%

• 15%

• 25%