Gilded Age Farmers & American Imperialism

Rural Majority: In the $1890s$ , most Americans lived in rural areas or small towns (under $5,000$ people), a trend that shifted by the $1920s$ .
Hardships: Farming was extremely difficult due to environmental factors (drought, insects), isolation, and basic living conditions (e.g., dugouts, sod houses).
Economic Struggles: Despite good harvests, farmers often lost money. Wheat prices dropped from $\$1$ a bushel in $1870$ to $35$ ¢ in the $1890s$ ; corn from $45$ ¢ to $10$ ¢ in the same period.
Perceived Exploitation: Farmers believed railroads, mills, and banks were unjustly profiting through high freight rates and interest, while producers suffered.

The Grange ( $1870s$ ): Started as a social group to combat isolation, members realized shared economic problems led to political discussions and collective action against perceived exploiters.
Farmers' Alliance: A contemporary organization with similar goals.
Populist Movement (People's Party): A national effort to unite farmers and industrial workers to influence government policy.

Free Silver: Advocated for minting all available silver into money to increase the money supply, causing inflation. Farmers, heavily in debt, believed inflation would make their fixed debts easier to pay off with higher crop prices.
Government Ownership: Called for government ownership of railroads and telegraph lines to operate them as public utilities at cost, preventing private profit and exploitation.
Democratic Reforms: Sought to make government more responsive to the people:
- Secret Ballot: To prevent intimidation and promote independent voting.
- Direct Election of US Senators: Shifting selection from state governments to popular vote.
- Initiative, Referendum, and Recall: Allowing citizens to propose laws, vote on legislation, and remove corrupt officials.
Graduated Income Tax: A progressive tax system where wealthier individuals pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes, aiming to redistribute wealth from the rich to the public for social benefits.
Producerist Ethic: Believed farmers and industrial workers were the true