The Effect Of Reconstruction On The Agricultural Economy Of America

The period of post Reconstruction through the beginning of the 20th century was a turning point for the agricultural economy of America. Farmers made up the backbone of the American economy at this time, therefore their success was crucial. This industry was the direct recipient of the technological advancements made throughout the Industrial Revolution that aided in massive and efficient production. However, the government’s focus was aimed elsewhere as the industrialized society of the North soon became the “backbone” of America. The government's ongoing promotion and push toward westward expansion, and land redistribution began to play out as well. In addition, the ongoing debate of nation's currency led to a decrease in currency circulation,
monopolizing income for farmers. Such issues, culminated into the emergence of a new political party, whose primary purpose was to defy the government due to it’s interference.
Perhaps one of the most prominent technological advancements was the enhancement of the railroad system. It’s original travel pattern during the Antebellum time period had only grown since then, nearly doubling in size (Document B). The railroad helped promote interstate commerce as the buying, selling, and trading of domestic goods became more prevalent. An increase in the building of tracks all over the nation, from the deep South, to out West, and reaching far North, helped foster a relationship of dependency of the two regions, who, not long before we're completely independent. Now, farmers had no domestic presence as a need for a local market diminished. Other advancements made during the Industrial Revolution directly affected the efficiency of the agricultural economy. As a demand for cotton occurred in the Antebellum time period, a greater emphasis was placed on other goods such as wheat and corn. A creation of mechanically operated appliances enabled an increase in production rate. Document D, illustrates the process of wheat harvesting as the time consuming, methodical way of cultivating was quickly replaced. Gustavus Swift invention of the refrigerated railroad car allowed fresh meat and poultry to be shipped all over the country without the threat of rotting (Document F). These advancements simplified the arduous work of a farmer as production and shipment of goods moved at an exponential rate. However, government policy that followed made the railroad only a beneficial resource for some, and in reality limited the farmer’s clientele.
The idea of Manifest Destiny lured citizens into undiscovered parts of the nation, with hopes that it would provide an opportunity to “start over”, both socially and financially.
However, once the government took action to promote expansion, those occupants in the Southern and western territories soon found their land being redistributed. After the Civil War, reconstruction was the government’s top priority. Agencies such as the Freedmen's Bureau & Committee of Reconstruction, aided newly emancipated citizens, by provided dozens of acres of land for them to begin a life on. The encouragement of land distribution continued through the passing of the Homestead and Timber Culture Acts. The objective of these acts was to provide the settlers with land to buy at a small price. This upset many farmers, as their land was forcefully taken into ownership of the government. R.W McAdam in the Oklahoma Magazine, described the process to be, “folly and injustice”(Document J). The government's ongoing attempts at expansions and assimilation of those living in western parts of America was fulfilled, at the expense of not only the farmers living in that area, but the natives as
well.
The “boom and bust” cycle of the agricultural industry, caused profits to fluctuate and become extremely precarious.
The government inability to establish a standard currency system, trickled down into the agricultural industry, whose income was inconsistent to begin with. The farmer’s favored the free and unlimited system of silver coinage. The government, however was opposed, creating the Gold Standard, which made the currency of the nation gold. This disagreement caused feuding, that would later remain as gold currency resulted in a decrease in money circulation for farmers. Inequitable freight rates in relation the transportation, followed this standard, and goods became very expensive. The ingenious idea of the railroad, quickly became a burden to farmers as they were unable to ship goods throughout the nation, therefore limiting their clientele. and local market (Document C). Also, due to technological advancements that increased production throughout the nation, prices of goods began to fall dramatically. Document A exhibits the agricultural prices in both wheat, cotton, and corn. As the production of these goods increases, the prices unfortunately did not. The government's promotion of production left farmers in a state of discontent as many lost their source of income, due to the abundance of farming elsewhere (Document G). The birth of the Populist party was in direct response to these unlawful, economical impulses, imposed on the farmers. This political
organization of people, made up of farmers, was part of a larger movement called populism. In efforts to become engaged in politics, members gathered to discuss grievances and the government’s manipulation of the markets. The party quickly became influential, as many members went on to obtain political positions within the Senate, House, and even as a presidential nominee, James B. Weaver. They reveal the power of the agricultural class, and the persistence farmers had to assert their opinions.
All the grievances farmers faced during post Reconstruction, through the beginning of the 20th century were all intertwined, creating a domino effect and a monopoly within the local market. Technological advancements generated a purposeful objective, however it’s true capacities were unable to be met due to the influx of prices. These issues all harkened back to the idea of finance and economics, as the cultivating, growing, and selling products was a farmers single source of income. Just as the colonist suffered and rebelled from unlawful implementations on their livelihood, farmers did the same. The government can only have so much power on a particular group of individuals, until many begin to defy and voice their opinions.