The late 1880s farmers in the South began to face new competition from cotton grown in India and Egypt. In addition, the share-cropping model of farming that grew up in the South led to massive overproduction, since it was only by planting huge crops that sharecroppers could hope to get out of debt. These two new forces lowered cotton prices dramatically. Together, the farmers of the plains and the South formed the backbone of a new political movement: the Populists (The People's Party). Populism's two big issues were Free Silver and railroad regulation. Also, the Populists pushed for a Sub treasury Plan to help provide low- interest loans to farmers. This was defiantly the rebellion against industry. .
In 1892, the Populists, feeling alienated by the Democrat and anti-tariff President Grover Cleveland, developed a set of policies known as the "Omaha Platform." This platform demanded inflationary measures such as the coinage of Free Silver, and argued for regulation of rails, or even public takeover of the rails, as well as other monopolies. The Populist Sub treasury Plan called for the government to provide warehouses for farmers' crops, upon which farmers could draw low-interest loans. The Omaha platform also held some vague land reform policies. Under the Omaha Platform, the Populists supported their own candidate for president in the 1892 election, James Weaver.
The farmers who formed the backbone of the Populist movement were largely dependent on credit in order to run their farms. Because they needed loans, and the deflation typical in the Gilded Age made loans harder to pay back, they wanted more money to go into circulation to cause mild inflation. Inflation would make loans easier to pay off. Populists supported increases in "fiat" money (known as "Greenbackism"), but their biggest push was for Free Silver coinage at a 16:1 ratio (16 ounces of silver for an ounce of gold, or "Bimetalism").
The Authorship of the Letter from the federal Farmers, Revisited. ... The work of an author who employed the pseudonym "Federal Farmer". ... But the identity of Federal Farmer did not, it seemed, present a problem. ... He argued that the views toward the Constitution shared by Lee and Farmer were "strictly similar". ... Lee's letter was written three days after the Farmer said he was dropping the subject. ...
The average age of the American farmer is now over sixty years. ... As more and more small farmers are going bankrupt, lager farmers and corporations are buying the land at extremely reduced prices. ... Diesel is sold to farmers at a reduced rate. ... The government also offers farmers a reduced death tax rate. ... The average age of the farmer is now over sixty years of age. ...
The decrease in the value of crops prevented farmers from paying off their never-ending debts, resulting in foreclosures by banks and many farmers were forced to become sharecroppers. ... Railroads and warehouses often favored larger farmers and, therefore, charged them lower transportation rates than smaller farmers. ... The Grange movement focused on defending farmers from trusts, pools and the rates charged by railroads. ... Other Farmers' Alliances followed the example set by the Grangers and joined together farmers in attempts to overcome the oppressing influence of industrializ...
Tracey in "Why Farmers Revolt" forum. ... Farmers could hardly afford to ship their products and this could put some farmers out of business. ... The need for farmers to reform corruption was a reason for farmers to organize politically. ... The need for farmer communities and sharing of achievements was a main reason for political organizations of farmer. Therefore, farmers organized politically for the betterment of themselves, the farmer community, and business itself. ...
Furthermore, the farmers had bad luck with Mother Nature during these years. ... The rise of the railroad industry proved to be faulty for farmers. ... Farmers saw this as a way out of debt and back on the stable market. ... The farmers of America seemed to work so hard and get nowhere. ... One of the only things that the farmers were completely right about was the weather. ...
Both organizations brought farmers together, but the Grangers had much less of an idea of where their problems stemmed from. ... Although the Grange brought farmers together in protest, they were basically an "organized mob" of angry farmers wanting change immediately. ... Grain elevators were charged with exploitation of the farmers" crops by buying them for less than their value and overcharging farmers. The railroads were accused of charging higher rates in rural areas, therefore "discriminating" against the farmers. ... It is true that both farmers" organizations effectively brought fa...
In 1997-1998, it cost farmers about $2.64 to grow a bushel of corn. ... In Minnesota, 5 out of 6 farmers who went out of business were small farmers. ... Why is this allowed to happen to the small farmers? ... When politicians talk about the great American farmer they are often referring to the giant corporate farmers (who donate to political parties). ... This cycle removes the profits from American farmers thus removing the American farmers" investments in the local community thus creating a sort of economic depression in areas which are dependent on farmers. ...
American farm exports drive down prices paid to local farmers, and in turn, reduce rural income around the world and push farmers off the land and into different markets. ... The 1970s were good years for farmers. ... Farm subsidies seem to have benefits for the small farmer. ... Competition among farmers has increased supply faster than demand. ... Some benefits favor the larger farms and hurt the small farmer. ...
