Analyze the Ways in Which Techonology, Government Policy,...

In the period 1865-1900, technology, government policy, and economic conditions all changed American agriculture a great deal. New farming machinery had a large role in the late 19th century, giving farmers the opportunity to produce many more crops than they had ever been able to previously. The railroads had an enormous influence on agriculture. They were able to charge the farmers large fees, expenses that farmers barely had enough to cover, in order to transport their goods throughout the expansive country. The booming industry also changed American agriculture, creating monopolies and gaining incredible wealth with which the farmers simply could not compete. Economically, the monetary policy along with the steadily dropping prices of†¦show more content†¦Document ‘C’ shows how the farmers eventually got prices to lower in Illinois, although not all states were as successful in putting restrictions or limits on the prices. The Supreme Court used the 14th ame ndment to favor the large industries and monopolies, like the railroad. In most cases it was ruled that profits (even excess ones) are a property right and states cannot regulate these profits because it goes against due process and equal protection under the law. These rulings made it very hard for individual states to interfere and put any limitations on these high prices. One of the most heated debates of the time period was over the gold standard monetary policy. In Document ‘E’ the crop-lien system or sharecropping is demonstrated. It shows how the farmers are profiting little or no money at all by the 1880’s, however the government, along with the wealthier citizens, were trying to implement a gold standard, eliminating silver currency altogether and creating some deflation. The farmers, most of whom were already in debt, advocated strongly against this monetary policy. They were in favor of a bimetallistic system. The Farmer’s were already indebted to the people they leased their land from, and if there was a monetary policy, the amount of money they owed would remain the same, however the value of that money would increase. Document ‘J’ is a clear opposition to the monetary policy by the farmers. Through the fight