Social Effects of the Industrial Revolution Part 1 – Effects on Farmers and Rural Areas

Read the following poem: When the banker says he's broke And the merchants up in smoke, They forget that it's farmer who feeds them all. It would put them to the test If the farmer took a rest; Then they'd know that it's the farmer feeds them all.

Status of farmers before the end of the Civil War Majority of the population, political power Property owners, American Dream Pioneers, Manifest Destiny Hard working, puritan values Respected by society Encouraged by government – Indian Removal Act, Homestead Act, American System

Status of Farmers after the Civil War Decline as a % of the population – urbanization, loss of political influence Speculators, bankers, industrialists enjoy greater success than hard working, honest property owners Declining support by government – lack of new arable land, Gold standard Economic decline due to technological innovations and increased competition.

Cyrus McCormick & the Mechanical Reaper: 1831

John Deere & the Steel Plow (1837)

Farm Prices Drop The post Civil War era represented both triumph and tragedy for the farmer. The population boom caused by the end of the war increased demand and farmers met the demand. The increased business was a welcome sight for farmers. The industrial age made farmers more efficient as well. Just as the steel plow and the cotton gin had increased productivity, so did irrigation and the tractor. Farm production skyrocketed. As with any product the greater the supply, the lower the price. In response to this deflation farmers did what they knew how do, grew more crops! Generations of farmers were always taught that the way to make more money was to grow more. This time however as production continued to increase, prices continued to fall. Farmers actually MADE LESS! The consequences were devastating. The South lost cotton markets and shifted to other crops, directly competing with western farmers.

The Gold Standard National Banking Act of 1863 introduced the dollar as the sole currency of the USA. America went on the Gold Standard. What this meant was that every dollar was exchangeable for a dollar of gold. The US promised to have gold reserves equal to the amount of money in circulation. The problem with this is that is limits the amount of money in circulation and this raises the value of money. The effect of this on farmers was further deflation. Their loans on farm acreage remained but their income dropped...not a good combination.

Political Decline The dominant party in US political life from 1860 to 1911 is the Republican Party, supported by industrial interests and involved in corruption and scandals. Farmers feel that they are no longer represented in their government and democracy is no longer working. They need to take a stand for themselves.

The Wizard of Oz – an allegory of late 19 th century USA In 1904 L.F. Baum published a story developed at the end of the 19 th century reflecting on the changes taking place in America and outlining the plight of American farmers. L. F. Baum was from Kansas and grew on a farm. Lets walk through the story and explore literature as a historical source. The story starts in Kansas where Dorothy is a good hearted, innocent girl living on a farm with her hard working uncle and aunt and dog Toto until one day ….

Dorothy and Toto

The Tornado The tornado is a potent force which could destroy the present and move objects to other places / times. It acts as a quick, deep and profound change in life as we know it. What does the Tornado symbolize in the context of the post Civil War USA? Where did it take Dorothy and her home? Why is the country called Oz?

Some answers Tornado – second industrial revolution during and after the Civil War. May be a reference to the war itself and the changes it brought. Oz – a unit of measurement for metals, particularly gold. Golden standard – gold is the backup commodity for the value of currency. Currency – a medium of exchange in economy.

Questions Who is the Wicked witch of the East? Who is the Wicked witch of the West? Why are they wicked? Who are the munchkins? Why are the witches of the North and South good ones? Can they help Dorothy? Where does Dorothy want to go? Why? What gift did she get in Munchkin city?

Answers Industrial East and West. They took the power of the rightful people of the land, they are greedy. The taxpayers, ordinary people with no power Still natural and rural North and South. No, they can’t. “Home” – back to normal, traditional life Silver slippers – bi-metalism.

Questions Who may be able to help Dorothy? How does she get to see Oz? What is the Yellow Brick Road? Where does Oz live? What color is the Emerald city? Why do people have to ware glasses there? Who was Oz? Did he help? Why? Who had the power to help Dorothy?

Answers The wizard of Oz. Follow the yellow brick road. Gold. Emerald city, green colour – US dollars Because the color is not real. The President, he can’t help, he is a fraud Dorothy can only help herself.

Questions Who did she meet on the road? Who does the Scarecrow represent? What does he lack? Who does the Tin man represent? What does he lack? Who does the Lion represent? What does he lack?

Answers Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion. Farmers Brain = education Workers Heart = interest in what they do. Opposition leaders. Courage to fight the system

Questions What did Oz ask Dorothy to do? Why? Who were the flying monkey? What was the poppy field? Why did water kill the witch? How did Dorothy finally got home?

Answers To kill the witch? He was afraid of her. Private guards, Pinkertons A distraction, propaganda, the press Because it is pure, clean, good. She wished for it, so it is possible.

The Populist Party People’s party, known as ‘populist’, founded in 1891 in central USA by members of the Farmers Alliance, which existed since Leader James B. Weaver run for president in 1892 elections William J. Bryan nominated by Democratic party in the elections of 1896 Omaha platform and Cross of gold speech.