Question

\we demand free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the present legal ratio of 16 to 1\ —omaha platform of the populist party, 1892

1. why did the populists believe this part of their platform would help them solve their problems?

a. they felt railroad companies were charging too much for short hauls.

b. they thought this step would lead to price inflation and make it easier to repay debts.

c. they hoped that silver coinage would make it easier for sharecroppers to divide their crops.

d. they believed more silver coinage would enable them to buy more manufactured goods from the north.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The Populist demand for silver/gold coinage isn't about railroad short - haul rates. Eliminate A.
• Option B: Free silver (unlimited coinage at 16:1 ratio) would increase the money supply. More money in circulation leads to inflation (rising prices). For farmers (many Populists), inflation would mean the prices of their agricultural products rise, and the real value of their debts (like mortgages) would decrease. This would make it easier to pay off debts. This matches the Populist goals (many were debt - burdened farmers).
• Option C: Silver coinage has no direct relation to dividing crops. Eliminate C.
• Option D: The Populist focus was on their own debt and farm - related issues, not buying more from the North. The North was more industrial, and Populists were mainly agrarian, concerned with their local economic struggles. Eliminate D.

Answer:

B. They thought this step would lead to price inflation and make it easier to pay off debts.