Question

Summarize the strategies by which farmers sought economic change at the end of the nineteenth century

Answer 1

At the end of the 19th Century, farmers were unhappy with political affairs, deflation, high tariffs, crops prices going down, debts helped with their discontent. Because of that, they formed The Farmer’s Alliance and also the Populist Party to try to influence politics.

This way they influenced new ideas into the monetary policy, like the “free and unlimited coinage of silver”, graduated income tax, government ownership of the railroads, shorter workday, direct election of senators.

Their campaign for the government ownership of the railroad got a major win with the decision by the US Supreme Court on the case Munn v. Illinois that stated the power of states to regulate rates of railroads and other business.

Answer 2

Farmers were at a disadvantage in the late 19th century. Crop prices were falling, they were mistreated by railroad companies, and industrialization was changing the nature of the US economy to become less agriculture-based.

Farmers pursued several strategies to improve their situation. They formed many organizations to support their cause, such as the National Farmers Alliance, and a party to represent their interest called the Populist Party. They also lobbied for tougher legislation on railroads and banks, to stop what they felt were monopolistic practices by companies in these industries.