A Level History - America - Practice Exam

How did technological advancements contribute to the agricultural industry in the 1920s?

1. Increased the prices of farm products

2. Led to overproduction of food

3. Improved worker conditions on farms

4. Reduced the number of farms needed

The correct answer is: Led to overproduction of food

Technological advancements in the 1920s significantly contributed to the agricultural industry by enabling farmers to increase production capacity, which inadvertently led to overproduction of food. Innovations such as the widespread adoption of tractors, combined harvesters, and other mechanized farming equipment allowed for faster and more efficient cultivation, planting, and harvesting processes. This efficiency meant that farmers could produce much more than was needed for domestic consumption, which resulted in surplus crops. The surplus created a situation where the market was flooded with agricultural products, driving prices down. Many farmers, unable to sell their excess crops at sustainable prices, faced economic difficulties. Additionally, improved techniques like crop rotation and the introduction of chemical fertilizers also increased yields, adding to this cycle of overproduction. In contrast, while the other options may touch on aspects of the agricultural industry, they do not encapsulate the direct impact of technological advancements as effectively. Increased prices of farm products, improved worker conditions on farms, and a reduced number of farms needed do not directly reflect the relationship between technological innovation and production levels during this period. Instead, the reality of overproduction highlights a critical consequence of advancements that aimed to improve agricultural efficiency.