Feb. 24, Farmers, the Grange & the Populist Movement (1867–1896)

Background

  • Farmers = 60%+ of population (1880s–1890s)

  • Census every 10 years → determines House representation

  • Industrialization changing farming

Homestead Act (1862)

Requirements:

  • 21 or head of household

  • Not supported Confederacy

  • Improve land (farm/business)

  • Live there 5 years

Result: Midwest fills with farms

Problems Farmers Faced (1880s–1890s)

1. Debt

  • Expensive new machinery

  • High-interest loans (farmers = “high risk”)

  • Droughts destroy crops

2. Railroad Monopolies

  • High shipping rates

  • High grain storage fees

  • Farmers left with little profit

3. Overproduction

  • Too many crops → low prices

The Grange (Founded 1867)

Founder: Oliver Hudson Kelley

Goals:

  • Share farming techniques

  • Fight high railroad rates

  • Reduce isolation

  • Work together (cooperation)

Success:

Munn v. Illinois (1877)

  • Supreme Court allowed states to regulate railroad/warehouse rates

  • Government could cap rates

Farmers’ Alliance (1880s)

Expanded farmer movement.

Goals:

  • Regulate railroads

  • Graduated income tax

  • End high tariffs

  • Direct election of senators

  • Women’s suffrage

  • Government-backed loans

Money Issue: Gold vs. Silver

  • U.S. on gold standard → limited money supply

  • Farmers wanted free silver (coin silver)

  • More money in circulation → inflation

  • Inflation helps farmers pay debts

Populist Party (1892)

Also called People’s Party

Goals:

  • Government control of railroads

  • Unlimited silver coinage

  • Direct election of senators

  • Income tax

  • Subtreasury system (low-interest loans)

Strong in the West
Limited national success

Big Problem

  • Divided by North/South

  • Racism split white and Black farmers

  • Could not fully unite laborers + farmers