Mrs. Ruland's U.S. History Class Project
Farmers, Railroads, & the Populist Party
The Populists attempted to reform the railroad and agricultural industries in order to promote prosperity in America. The Populists supported public ownership of transportation and communication, a graduated income tax, and believed that the policies of the United States government put farmers at a disadvantage. The main goal of the Populists was to advocate a larger money supply. Other goals included fair taxes on railroads and regulation of child labor. Several legislatures that came into effect during the New Deal reflected these ideas as they attempted to pull the United States out of the Depression, i.e. Agricultural Adjustment Act, Farmer Security Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps, etc.
Agricultural Discontent and the Populist Movement
This site depicts the origins of the Populist movement as it grew out of the dissatisfaction of American farmers. It describes the construction of railroads and the dire situation of farmers as they were replaced with new technology. This page is a good resource in that it is thorough and provides many interesting details about the "big business" railroad period.
A complete outline provided by the University of Maryland dealing with all things agricultural, from the Grange to the Farmer's Alliance to the Populist Movement. It provides a look into "Life on the frontier in the late 19th century."
Populism: Born and Bred In Agrarian Revolt
This site details the Populist's discontent and the demands of the farmers. It discusses Thomas Jefferson's role in the founding of Populism and talks about the struggles of the farmers to obtain a fair marketing price for their products.
The Omaha Platform: Launching the Populist Party
A complete detail of the Populist platform. Provides a thorough, accurate look at the goals of the Populist movement and the demands/grievances that sparked this new movement.
Farmers, the Populist Party, and Mississippi (1870-1900)
Describes the reaction of Mississippi's farmers to the Populist movement. This site gives a look at "the Americans left out of the prosperity" during the Populist's reign. Discusses activist groups such as the National Farmer's Alliance, Industrial Union, and the Southern Alliance as they fought to improve farming conditions in the South. Also mentions the Munn v. Illinois case, which dealt with railroad regulation.
The Progressives and Direct Democracy
Details the Progressive movement and how it helped develop railroads and aid farmers. Also talks about the negative events that occurred during the Progressive movement and what was done to enhance situations, i.e. the monopoly over farmers created by eastern bankers and railroad men.
Some Interesting New Deal information
AAA, Agricultural Adjustment Act
This web site describes the origins and the problems that the AAA faced when it was passed. The AAA tried to solve the problems of the farmers but faced heavy opposition from the Supreme Court, who ruled its actions unconstitutional. For details, visit the above link.
This site describes the struggle of farmers to survive during the Great Depression. It also describes the attempts made by the government to help the suffering farmers and their crops, such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA).
This page describes in detail the acts and agencies created by the government during the period of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency known as the New Deal. It expresses the efforts made by the government to help the industries that suffered during the Great Depression to get back on their feet.
FSA, Farm Security Administration
Provides examples and firsthand accounts of actions taken by the FSA, including loaning money to tenant farmers, building camps for migrant workers, etc. Several survivors of this era are quoted as to how the FSA affected their lives.
Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act
This source describes the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act and its embedded laws that tried to prevent the occurrence of another Dust Bowl-esque suffering for farmers. The prevention of erosion is a major focus issue.
Last updated March 28, 2006
© Marcella Ruland 1998-2008, All rights reserved
