Final answer:
The Grange, Farmers' Alliance, and Populist Party were essential in advocating for farmers' economic interests, and while the Populist Party ceased to be a major political force after 1900, its legacy lived on through its progressive policies which were adopted in subsequent years.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Grange, Farmers' Alliance, and Populist Party played pivotal roles in advocating for the rights and economic interests of farmers in the late 19th century. The Grange, initiated by Oliver Hudson Kelly, focused on creating farmer cooperatives to obtain better prices for goods and shipping rates. The Farmers' Alliance built upon the Grange's principles, rapidly growing to 1.5 million members and incorporating educational initiatives to inform farmers on agricultural and economic issues. It differed from the Grange by its autonomous local chapters, inclusive membership criteria, and its efforts to form alliances with labor movements. The Alliance's outreach laid the groundwork for the Populist Party, which emerged in the 1890s with a platform that addressed the needs of farmers and the working class, advocating for monetary reform, such as the unlimited coinage of silver, a graduated income tax, and other populist policies.
Unfortunately, the Populist Party's influence waned after William McKinley's victory in the 1896 presidential election, which favored the gold standard and signified a trend towards economic stability without major reforms proposed by the Populists. Despite this defeat, the party had a tremendous influence on American politics, with many of its policies eventually being adopted during the Progressive Era.