The Agrarian Movement
Problems of Farmers • In the late nineteenth century, the extension of farming to the Great Plains and the greater use of machinery and fertilizer led to an abundance of crops. • Farmers experienced increasing difficulties as food prices began to drop, while their own expenses remained high.
• Agricultural Overproduction—more land better equipment led to more crops being produced and prices fell • High Costs—Farmers had to ship their crops to market and were forced to pay whatever railroads charged • Farmer Indebtedness—Farmers borrowed money to make improvements or to buy machinery. • Natural Disasters—drought, insect invasion, and floods. One bad year to their crops could wipe out a family’s saving
Grange Movement • Founded in 1867, its original purpose was to serve as a social club for farmers to help them overcome rural isolation and to spread information about new farming techniques. • Grangers tried to eliminate middlemen by forming farmers cooperatives to buy machinery, fertilizers, and manufactured goods in large numbers at a discount. • Granger cooperatives failed because of the lack of business experience.
• Farmers mainly blamed railroads for their difficulties • Congress passes the Interstate Commerce Act. This act prohibited railroads from charging more for short hauls then for long hauls over the same route. Interstate Commerce Commission was created to investigate complaints and to enforce the act. This was the first federal government agency to regulate unfair business practices. • These new regulations marked a change from the laisse-faire economy of the past
Populist Party • They drew up a party platform that had several proposals: – Unlimited Coinage of Silver to raise farm prices and make loan repayments – Term limits for President permitting single term in office – Government ownership of railroads, telegraphs, and telephones – Immigration restrictions – Direct election of Senators instead of by state legislatures – Secret ballot to protect voter intimidation – Graduated income tax to tax wealthy individuals at a higher rate – Shorter work day of eight hours
• Election of 1892 Populists elected five Senators and received over a million votes. Soon after the economy collapsed in the Depression of 1893. Populists blamed the depression on the scarcity of currency • Election of 1896 the Democratic Party nominated William Jennings Bryan for president. The Populist Party supported Bryan based on his “Cross of Gold” Speech. He narrowly lost to William Mc. Kinley. • Election of 1900 Bryan ran against Mc. Kinley again. Mc. Kinley won a second time and this brought an end to the populist party. • New gold discoveries, higher farm prices, and rural migration to the cities weakened national interest in a separate farmer’s party in later years.
Legacy of Populism • The Populist Party appeared suddenly in the 1890 s and disappeared just as fast, yet it left its mark on American history. • Third parties often have an impact on the political process. They provide an outlet for minorities to voice grievances and generate new ideas.
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