Which challenge faced by farmers in the late 1800s were state Granger Laws intended to address?
high farm debt
high tariff rates
high railroad fees
high crop prices
high railroad fees
The state Granger Laws were intended to address the challenge of high railroad fees faced by farmers in the late 1800s. These laws were passed in response to grievances from farmers, particularly in the Midwest, who were frustrated by the high costs they had to bear in transporting their agricultural products.
To understand why the state Granger Laws were intended to address high railroad fees, we need to consider the context of the late 1800s. During this period, railroads played a vital role in transporting goods across the United States. However, farmers often encountered unfair pricing practices by railroad companies, known as "discrimination," where they charged higher fees for shorter distances compared to longer hauls.
To address this issue, farmers organized themselves into organizations called "Granges" and began advocating for government intervention. As a result, several states in the Midwest, such as Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, passed legislation known as the Granger Laws. These laws sought to regulate the railroad industry by imposing maximum freight and storage rates that railroads could charge.
By implementing these laws, farmers hoped to ensure fairer pricing for transporting their agricultural products and diminish the economic burden they faced due to high railroad fees. The Granger Laws were a significant step in the early movement toward government regulation of the economy and protection of the interests of farmers and consumers.
In summary, the state Granger Laws were intended to address the challenge of high railroad fees faced by farmers in the late 1800s.