Final answer:
The National FFA public speaking contest aligns with historical efforts of organizations like the Grange and Farmers' Alliance to educate and empower farmers, leading to legislative actions like the AAA to alleviate farmers' economic struggles and influence political change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The National FFA public speaking contest was started to encourage members to study and speak on current farm problems. It is rooted in a long history of farmer education and advocacy, connecting to early efforts like the establishment of the Patrons of Husbandry, known as the Grange, which aimed to help farmers by creating cooperatives for better shipping rates and prices on supplies. Over time, agricultural organizations, such as the Grange, recognized the benefits of influencing political decisions. Had the Grange not done so, they would not have been able to tackle the fundamental issues detailed in the Wabash case, which shifted railroad sector control to the federal government.
Later, issues like the Farmers Alliance and Farmers' Holiday Association faced internal challenges due to exclusionary practices or their radical methods. Significant legislative efforts such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) and, following its initial invalidation, variants such as the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, and the second AAA were pivotal in supporting farmers' income and encouraging beneficial farming practices.
The economic pressures and the need for government intervention and representation culminated with farmers' organizations pushing for greater political power to address their concerns, evident in the history of the Farmers' Alliance turning to create a political party.