In the 1890s, which policy did the Populists advocate to help American farmers?

In the 1890s, which policy did the Populists advocate to help American farmers?

• A. They advocated decentralizing the railroads to help small businesses.
• B. They proposed farmers join forces with industrial workers in American cities.
• C. They recommended creating a government-sponsored sub-treasury.
• D. They proposed farmers increase both production and price.

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is how the Populists aimed to fix farmers’ financial distress in the 1890s. They called for a government-sponsored sub-treasury system that would store crops in federal warehouses and issue low-interest loans to farmers against those crops. This policy would give farmers ready cash without forcing them to sell their harvest at depressed prices, helping stabilize both their finances and (by removing pressure to flood the market) crop prices. It reflects their broader goal of using federal help to counter the power of banks and monopolies and to provide farmers with practical credit and price stability. As for the other options, the Populists did push for railroad reform and broader political alliances, but the most direct, distinctive plan to aid farmers financially was the sub-treasury. Increasing production and prices or aligning with industrial workers were part of their broader agenda, but they don’t specify the concrete credit-and-stabilization mechanism that the sub-treasury provided.

The main idea being tested is how the Populists aimed to fix farmers’ financial distress in the 1890s. They called for a government-sponsored sub-treasury system that would store crops in federal warehouses and issue low-interest loans to farmers against those crops. This policy would give farmers ready cash without forcing them to sell their harvest at depressed prices, helping stabilize both their finances and (by removing pressure to flood the market) crop prices. It reflects their broader goal of using federal help to counter the power of banks and monopolies and to provide farmers with practical credit and price stability.

As for the other options, the Populists did push for railroad reform and broader political alliances, but the most direct, distinctive plan to aid farmers financially was the sub-treasury. Increasing production and prices or aligning with industrial workers were part of their broader agenda, but they don’t specify the concrete credit-and-stabilization mechanism that the sub-treasury provided.