Question

What are some of the reasons why the United States did not adopt the metric system of measure? Select ALL that apply.

Option 1: At the time, most of its trade was with France who did not use the metric system.
Option 2: The House of Representatives defeated the bill calling for conversion to metrics in 1974.
Option 3: The US was waiting for all other industrialized countries to adopt it before proceeding.
Option 4: At the time, most of its trade was with England and Canada who did not use the metric system.

Answer 1

The U.S. did not adopt the metric system largely due to historical trading ties with England and Canada, who used the Imperial system; legislative attempts to adopt the metric system failed or were resisted.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the reasons why the United States did not adopt the metric system of measure, one significant factor is historical trading ties. Option 4 is correct because, at the time when the metric system was being considered worldwide, most of America's trade was with England and Canada, which were using the Imperial system, not the metric system.

Additionally, Option 2 is partially true; there have been various legislative attempts to switch to the metric system, but they were met with resistance or failed to gain traction. Option 3 is incorrect as the U.S. did not explicitly wait for all other industrialized countries to adopt the metric system. Concerning Option 1, it is inaccurate since France was an early adopter of the metric system, and that was not a factor in the U.S. decision to retain its customary system.