Question

why were many african american farmers caught in a condition of debt peonage?
a. they had used other peoples money to buy land.
b. they did not have enough money to pay for supplies from the company store.
c. they owed the federal government back taxes.
d. they were forced to pay for the land the union army gave them.

Explanation:

To determine why many African American farmers were in debt peonage, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Using others' money to buy land isn't the main reason for debt peonage in this context.
• Option B: After the Civil War, many African American farmers were sharecroppers or tenant farmers. They relied on company stores for supplies but often didn't have enough money to pay, leading to debt that trapped them in peonage. This matches the historical context.
• Option C: Owing back taxes to the federal government wasn't the primary cause of debt peonage for these farmers.
• Option D: The Union Army's land distribution (like "40 acres and a mule") was often reversed, and they weren't forced to pay for that land in a way that led to debt peonage.

Answer:

B. They did not have enough money to pay for supplies from the company store.