1. The Rise of the Farm Problem The dilemma of the farmer’s place in an industrial society

2. Characteristics of Post-Civil War Agriculture A. Rapid Expansion of Area 1. Rapid Expansion of the West B. Mechanization 1. Shortages of Labor during the Civil War led to need for mechanization (except in the South) C. Scientific Agriculture 1. Government Programs

3. The "Little Giant" thresher, like other farm machinery, reduces farm labor needs, but increases capital costsThe "Little Giant" thresher, like other farm machinery, reduces farm labor needs, but increases capital costs

4. Appearance of the Basic Problem A. Reasons 1. need for capital 2. more settlers 3. Credit B. Form of Debt 1. Real Estate 2. Chattel Mortgages 3. In South-Crop liens

5. Marketing Problems A. Grain Elevators & Warehouses 1. Farmers at mercy of grain operators and RR’s B. Railroads 1. Predatory Monopolies? Loading a grain steamer at Milwaukee--linking Midwestern farmers with the world economy

6. Price Problems A. Overproduction B. Inadequacies of Credit System 1. based on gold standard making it “inelastic” C. Deflation 1. Paying back debts in more valuable currency then borrowed

7. Natural Disasters A. Drought 1. from 1887 on successively dry years 2. Mortgage companies foreclosed on huge tracts of land B. Insects, dust storms, etc 1. added to the misery

9. Consequences for the Farmer A. Economic Loss 1. other areas of the country prospered while farmers lagged 2. no “free” land left B. Political Loss 1. politics falls into the hands of industrialists after years of agrarian rule C. Social Loss 1. farmers become second class citizens- hayseeds, rubes, hicks etc