A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Which government action was integral in addressing agricultural overproduction during the 1930s?

1. The Social Security Administration

2. The Second Agricultural Adjustment Act

3. The Housing Act

4. The Farm Credit Act

The correct answer is: The Second Agricultural Adjustment Act

The Second Agricultural Adjustment Act was integral in addressing agricultural overproduction during the 1930s as it aimed to stabilize prices for farmers and promote more sustainable farming practices. This legislation built on the efforts of the first Agricultural Adjustment Act passed in 1933, which sought to reduce crop surpluses by controlling production levels. The Second Agricultural Adjustment Act, enacted in 1938, established the concept of parity prices to help farmers balance their income with production costs. It introduced measures to encourage farmers to limit their production through government subsidies and support, thus addressing the issue of overproduction that had contributed to low prices and widespread economic distress among farmers during the Great Depression. This act was part of a broader New Deal strategy to revitalize the agricultural sector and boost the overall economy. In contrast, the other options—like the Social Security Administration, which focused on social welfare and support for the elderly and unemployed, the Housing Act, which aimed at improving housing conditions and urban development, and the Farm Credit Act, which provided loans to farmers but did not specifically target overproduction—did not have the same direct impact on agricultural overproduction.