Why did farmers express discontent during 1870-1900 and what impact did their new attitudes and actions have on national politics?
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During the period of 1870-1900 in the United States, farmers expressed considerable discontent for several reasons. This dissatisfaction was primarily rooted in economic challenges and unfair treatment by the government and corporations. To understand the impact of their attitudes and actions on national politics, we need to examine the key issues and the ways farmers organized themselves to address them.
1. Economic Challenges: Farmers faced declining crop prices due to overproduction, which led to reduced income and increased debt. Moreover, they were heavily reliant on expensive railroad transportation for shipping their goods, while railroad companies charged exorbitant rates.
2. Farming Input Costs: The cost of farming inputs, such as machinery, fertilizers, and seed, was rising, further eroding farmers' profits. Additionally, farmers had little control over the prices they received for their crops, as large corporations dominated the market.
3. Currency and Monetary Policy: Farmers advocated for the free coinage of silver, which would increase the money supply and inflation, potentially allowing them to pay off their debts more easily and raise crop prices.
4. Government Policies: Farmers believed that the government was favoring big businesses and neglecting their interests, leading to calls for reforms such as protective tariffs on imported goods and regulation of railroad rates.
To address their discontent and advocate for their rights, farmers organized themselves into several influential groups, such as the Grange, Farmers' Alliances, and eventually the Populist Party. These organizations aimed to mobilize farmers politically and push for policy changes that would benefit their interests.
The impact of farmers' attitudes and actions on national politics was significant:
1. Formation of Farmer-Led Political Parties: The most notable outcome was the creation of the Populist Party, also known as the People's Party, which emerged as a major third party during this period. The Populists advocated for pro-farmer policies, including direct election of senators, government control of railroads, bimetallism (the use of both gold and silver as currency), and a progressive income tax.
2. Influence on Major Parties: The farmer discontent exerted pressure on the two major parties, the Democrats and Republicans. To attract farmer votes, both parties adopted some of the Populists' demands, incorporating them into their own platforms. This resulted in policies such as the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1890, which increased the amount of silver purchased by the government, and the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887, which regulated railroad rates.
3. Limited Long-Term Success: Although the Populist Party had some initial success, winning several seats in Congress and electing governors and other officials, it ultimately failed to achieve its broader goals. By the early 1900s, internal divisions, opposition from powerful interests, and a gradually improving economy weakened the Populist movement.
In summary, the discontent expressed by farmers during 1870-1900 drove them to organize politically and form influential groups such as the Populist Party. Their actions and demands had a notable impact on national politics, leading to the adoption of certain pro-farmer policies by major parties. However, the overall long-term success of the farmers' movement was limited.