Agrarianism & Populism

What Changed in Farming? Farmers switched from small-scale farming to… Became increasingly more Dependent on… large-scale (“cash crops” such as wheat, corn). manufactured goods and less dependent on self-sufficiency on the farm.

The Business of Farming Farming became tied to banking, railroading, and manufacturing. Farmers increasingly used machinery such as… Farmers often blamed their situation in the global marketplace on banks and railroads; they often felt detached from the new business-like nature of their agrarian business. steam engines, combined reaper-threshers to raise production rates.

Effects of Factory Farming The changing of farming to a big business forced many small farmers off their land and into… Farming turned America into “the world’s breadbasket and butcher shop.” The mechanization of agriculture would be the predecessor to 20th century agribusiness. the industrial workforce.

Deflation Some effects of deflation on farmers were… When prices were high for crops, everything was fine, but when prices dipped low (as they did in the 1880’s and 1890’s), the farming sectors suffered. Farmers feared low prices and deflated currency. Price rises and falls on crops seemed unfair to the farmers and they began to mistrust creditors, who distrusted them in turn. Deflation was a “vicious cycle”– more production of crops (like grain) lead to lowered prices, and more debt for farmers.

Nature’s Challenges Small natural disasters also impeded production of farming… Fertilizers were needed to supplement weak soil. Droughts across the Mississippi West during the summer of 1877.

Other Hindrances to Farmers These other groups hindered farmers by doing what? Trusts and corporations… “Middlemen” and operators… Railroad bosses… such as the barbed-wire trust, and the fertilizer trust could control output and raise prices. took large “cuts” from the prices of the crop. controlled the grain growers because they were needed to transport the crop. They raised freight rates and farmers often loss less money by simply burning their crops for fuel than shipping it.

The Grangers The National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was formed in 1867 under Oliver H. Kelley. Objectives of the Grangers Included… raising awareness of farmers’ problems. They ]formed cooperative grain elevators and warehouses.

Grangers and Greenbackers in Politics Grangers entered politics—in Illinois, they entered state legislature and fought for regulating railway rates, storage fees, etc. The Grangers’ popularity declined as decisions were overturned by “interest” lawyers. Greenback Labor Party also advocated labor rights for farmers but received very little of the popular vote.

The Farmers’ Alliance Founded in Texas during 1870’s to break railroad grip by cooperative buying/selling. Spread throughout South and Great Plains. It excluded… Separate Colored Farmers’ National Alliance formed to… Blacks, however, which made up half the agricultural population of the South. attract black farmers; racial separation made it difficult for these organizations to work together.

The Populists Out of the Farmers’ Alliance the Populist Party formed (or the “People’s Party”). Fought against Wall Street and “money trust.” Political leaders such as James Weaver ran as the Populist candidate in July 1892, but received few votes—8.5% of the total votes.

Populist Platform Populists advocated… nationalizing railroads, telephone and telegraph. instituting graduated income tax, and create federal “subtreasury” (loan program for farmers’ stored crops). Free coinage of silver—Populist leaders and authors emerged such as William Harvey, Ignatius Donnelly and Mary Elizabeth Lease in support of this platform.

William Jennings Bryan When the Populist party began to merge with Democrats, William Jennings Bryan became their candidate, giving a stirring speech on coinage of silver at the Democratic National Convention (1896): “You shall not press down the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.”

The Fall of the Populist Party The Populist party lost support due to… Loss of Democratic “Gold Bug” vote. Increasing crop prices. Employers frightening workers into voting Republican. William McKinley defeated WJB in the 1896 election, and the Populist Party was disbanded.