Final answer:
The Farmers' Alliance and the Grange were among the agricultural lobbies that advocated for more public relief and reform from conservative Democrats. Their efforts contributed to the rise of the Populist Party and influenced political activism during and beyond the Progressive Era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Farmers' Alliance and other agricultural lobbies pushed the conservative Democrats for greater public relief and reform. During the 1930s, the push for economic reform largely revolved around supporting farmers and helping the unemployed.
However, the narrative began to change as social issues became more prominent in the late 1950s and early 1960s, leading to a political shift where Southern Democrats resistant to using federal power for social restructuring eventually found a home with Republicans who promoted smaller government.
Despite resistance, various farmer organizations like the Grange and the Farmers' Alliance played significant roles in advocating for the interests of farmers. They not only aimed to improve social connections among farmers but also sought to purchase equipment collectively, start cooperative stores, and influence legislation such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act during the Great Depression.
Additionally, these groups were instrumental in promoting political actions such as the rise of the Populist Party, which attempted to unite the concerns of farmers with urban workers. The hardships faced by farmers and the failure of the government to effectively address these concerns further fueled the rising political activism which eventually influenced the Progressive Era politics. Despite the alliance's exclusion of certain subgroups like tenant farmers and African Americans, it reached a membership of nearly 4 million at its peak.