How Successful Was The Farmer's Economic Policy 1983 Dbq

The 1870s-1900s was a great era for the government and as well as the people. The farmers, however, did not have well-running businesses due to manufacturers hitting a huge growth rate, railroad companies and banks abusing them, as well as overproduction. There was, in a way, agricultural depression. Farmers began to over come this by forming the
Populist Party. Farmers were seeing monopolization and a shortage in money becaue of the government's decisions. In document G Leading Economic Sectors in 1849 and 1899 have shown that in 1849 agriculture made 59.3% of the money in the U.S while Manufacturers made the second highest percentage. In 1899 manufacturing makes its mark as the leading producer of currency. This shows how much it has amplified within only a
fifty year radius. In document F F. B. Tracy at "Why the Farmers Revolted", Forum on October 1893 expressed that the western region's railroads and freight rates have retarted the growth of farmer's markets .
If the farmer could not sell his produce at profit he would not be able to make the payments. Eviction followed this concept. This pushed the Farmer's Alliance to go into politics all over the west. The government's over priced land tariffs made the farmers revolt. Farmers began to find it hard to be economically prosperous. Wheat and cotton prices lowered because of the excess produce. This began when railroads advanced and such great amounts of crops were not needed. Colored farmers were also greatly affected by this transition. In document B Booker T.
Washington told George Washington in 1889 that Every year they try to pay their debts and high interests they can't because it is just too much. He explained how they struggled to feed their families. Some have even given up. This is was not just about the black farmers, it was about the white ones too. They all were in a horrible predicament. In document C Mary E. Lease, a lawyer, spoke to the common people in 1890 protesting to recieve money, land, and transportation. People demanded abolition of the national banks and direct loans from the government. She gave this speech to give
the people a voice and tell the government what we want and need. The Interstate Commercial
Commition was put into action which gave the people transportation. Farmers began to give up land for the railroads which put the Interstate Commerce Act into place in 1887. Document D shows the Presidential Election of 1892. Cleveland wins this election and gathered most of his votes from the southeast. He was also a Democratic President. He gave alot of hope to the people and most of the people that chose him were farmers. He began to give out plantations because he recieved so many complaints about the railroads. Farmers had many reasons to revolt against the government. Their rairoad decisions were not always fair and agricultural needs were not met. Farmers had their own depression because of the government and as well as merchants. Farmers ended the harvest season with lost hopes and huge debts. Their attitudes influenced the government to think through their plans a little more throughly and think of all the aspects of their plan.