If, as the text authors contend, “the basic cause of the farmers’ prob

If, as the text authors contend, “the basic cause of the farmers’ problems was . . . overproduction,” then why didn’t farmers grapple with the problem directly instead of seeking scapegoats in banks, railroads, and government currency policy?

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER
Consider: overproduction was an abstract enemy to the farmers, who found it difficult to accept as a problem when many in the country were going hungry; this led farmers to seek more tangible villains. Moreover, the text authors contend that there was some truth to the farmers’ complaints (higher shipping rates, higher interest rates, damaging government policies, etc.). Note also that it was difficult for the farmers to tackle the problem of overproduction through organization because of their geographic separation and traditional individualism.