to regulate railroad shipping rates
The Grange movement sought to fight against high prices set by railroad monopolies. These prices hurt farmers financially and they wanted government assistance to break up the railroad monopolies.
The Grange movement rose during the Gilded Age as the rise of industry and and monopolies were taking a hold over the country. Farmers felt disadvantaged against the railroad monopolies and tariffs in place. They joined farmers' alliances which acted like unions for industrial workers. The country pass many laws benefiting industry but in turn hurt farmers. The Grangers came together to demand political changes. They were successful in Mid-Western states and eventually joined with other groups to create the Populist Party to have a national impact.