1. how did monopolies contribute to the economic challenges that farmers faced in the united states in the late 19th century?
independent farmers were forced to sell their farms when they could not compete with the output of large, commercial farms.
farmers were dependent on industries in which high prices were set by companies that had no competition.
monopolies were exempt from legislation that was intended to regulate business practices.
farmers' options for purchasing seed, livestock, and farm equipment were severely limited when smaller companies were absorbed by industry giants.
2. during the late 19th century, why might an american farmer have supported the populist movement?
populists supported the gold standard, believing that less paper money would increase the value of agricultural goods.
populists advocated federal intervention to counter economic challenges that many farmers faced.
the populist party was largely controlled by bankers and landowners, who were sensitive to the needs of the small farmer.
the populist party supported the expansion of private railroads for the transportation of agricultural goods.
3. which statement explains how farmers contributed to their own problems in the late 19th century?

a high level of productivity resulted in low crop prices that made farming less profitable.
competition for the best land drove land prices up to a level where most farmers could not afford to expand their production.
overreliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides resulted in short-term gains but reduced the productivity of farmland.
political divisions between farmers who grew food crops and farmers who grew cash crops reduced the political power of farmers.
4. which two groups favored passage of the sherman silver purchase act?
farmers and miners
workers and union organizers
banks and currency speculators
merchants and railroad companies
5. immigrants from which of the following countries would have faced the greatest restrictions during the late 19th century and early 20th century?
ireland
china
mexico
russia