A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Which act aimed to reduce American imports and exports by 50% in an effort to protect farmers?

1. Glass-Steagall Act

2. Smoot-Hawley Act

3. Revenue Act

4. Voluntarism Act

The correct answer is: Smoot-Hawley Act

The Smoot-Hawley Act is the correct answer as it was enacted in 1930 with the primary intention of protecting American farmers by raising tariffs on foreign agricultural products. This act significantly increased tariffs on a wide range of goods, which effectively aimed to reduce imports and exports by making foreign products more expensive and less competitive compared to domestic goods. The idea was that by limiting imports, U.S. farmers would face less competition from abroad, thereby stabilizing prices and boosting their economic situation during the Great Depression. The act is often cited in discussions about the effects of protectionism, as it led to retaliation from other nations, resulting in a decline in international trade and exacerbating the economic downturn during that period. Thus, it is clear that the Smoot-Hawley Act was specifically aimed at protecting American farmers and reducing their competition by restricting foreign trade.