Farmers in the Era of 1880-1900

Farmers in the era of 1880-1900 faced various problems and threats to their way of life. One of these being agrarian discontent which basically derived from the actions of American government in the nineteenth century. In the duration of the 1880’s the government followed and enforced the policy of laissez-faire which meant the government would be separate from the workings of the free market. Industries and big business gained vast amount of strength without the government's interference. Large trusts were created leaving the industry very powerful and, frankly a dominant force in American society. With such powerful industries they would often practice unfair business against the farmers in that region. As shown in Document H railroad owners often raised their rates when farm products were in harvest. Which in turn gave a profit to railroad owners and deprived the farmers of their profit. The farmers had no help particularly because the big industries controlled every aspect of the American society. With the government seemingly on the industry aspect of things leaving the hard workers and farmers virtually alone and unprotected. The reason why the government favored the industry is because agriculture did little to none to help raise the status of America. In addition, another reason for this discontent is the decreased money circulation (Document C). Farmers wanted inflation of money along with currency based on silver. This reasoning of currency was the main proponent for the discontent. By the government not authorizing silver backed currency or any free silver acts they saw this as a reason to their political and economic ruin(Document A). Maintaining a gold back currency burdened the farmer tremendously which he did not think he could successfully carry. This once agains reverts to business control in the United States rather than agricultural. Consequences of this was the businessman achieved what he had hope too which resulted in a decrease of value in their work and produce. In addition to these two reasons a third for discontent is American farmers were frankly excluded from American society. They could not afford or enjoy the luxuries other American citizens could. Farmers were left in the dark and not brought into