Examining the Problems Faced by Farmers in Post-Civil War America

This essay examines the significant challenges encountered by American farmers in the aftermath of the Civil War in 1865, a period marked by a shift from an agrarian society to industrialization and urbanization. The essay focuses on the detrimental effects of this transformation on farmers, including economic dislocations and overproduction. Key problems discussed include the overproduction of agricultural goods, which led to plummeting prices despite increased output, and the impact of heavy tariffs on industrial products, which made it difficult for farmers to compete. The essay also addresses the displacement of agricultural land due to industrial expansion and government policies favoring industrialization. The essay further explores the farmers' responses to these challenges, such as political engagement, the formation of self-help initiatives like the Grange Movement and the Greenback Party, and the establishment of alliances to advocate for their rights. The essay uses supporting references to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues faced and the farmers' attempts to overcome them.

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The Problems faced by Farmers in the Post-Civil War America
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The Problems faced by Farmers in the Post-Civil War America
The years following the American Civil War in 1865, America witnessed dramatic
changes from the agricultural and rural America which was dominated by the farmers to the birth
of the era of industrialization and urbanization dominated by industrialists, bankers and city
dwellers. While this transformation from agricultural based to industrial based America resulted
into significant economic growth in America, this however, was accomplished only with
devastating problems on the farmers including dislocations and overproduction. This work is
focused in discussing the problems faced by farmers in the post-Civil War America, the causes
and how the farmers attempted to solve these problems.
One of the most devastating problems and the root cause of problems faced by the farmers
following the civil war were associated with the overproduction of agricultural products. In the
years after the civil war, America witnessed tremendous increase in agricultural production. This
was attributed to the opening up of the Great Plains for agricultural purposes, increased use of
farm machinery as well as the spread of new railroads which made it possible to access the
remote areas for agricultural purposes. This in effect resulted to the flooding of agricultural
products in American markets. As more agricultural products flooded American markets, the
prices of agricultural products continued to decline (Woodman, 1972). While farmers were
producing more of the agricultural products, they were however making less and less income.
For instance, in 1873-1894 the cotton production in America doubled as more farmers resolved
to cotton production, however, the price of cotton fell from 15cents to about 6cents per pound.
Another major problem faced by the farmers in the years following the Civil War was the heavy
tariff policies imposed by the government. The farmers were forced by the tariffs to buy all the

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industrially manufactured products protected by the tariffs and at high prices while selling
agricultural produce at relatively low and unprotected prices due to overproduction and
oversupply in the market. The tariff policies imposed additionally hardships on the farmers
following the Civil War in America. While the tariffs were imposed by the government to ensure
that all the industrially manufactured goods in America were sold in America in an attempt to
encourage industrialization, however these discouraged the American farmers as they were
forced to buy industrial products at high prices. Additionally, the monetary policies set by the
government to control money in circulation by limiting American currency to gold as opposed to
gold and silver and soft money were very discriminatory made agricultural production expensive
to cope with. Lastly, displacement and destruction of agricultural land for industrialization and
urbanization was a major blow on the American farmers in the era following the Civil War. The
government especially in the northern America supported industrial revolution and as a result,
most of previously agricultural lands were turned into industrial and setting up of urban centers.
This led to dislocation and further threatening the welfare of the farmers.
The major causes of problems witnessed by the farmers in the years after the civil war are
attributed to the overproduction (Mayhew, 1972). Furthermore, the discriminatory tariffs and
railroads as well as government support to industrialization made it difficult to cope with
agriculture. However, farmers in order to solve these problems started to engage in politics and
form self-help initiatives. The farmers engaged in protests, for instance, Patrons of Husbandry
founded in 1867 and known as the Grange Movement which demanded the state to regulate the
rates of railroads and the fees charged by grain elevators. Additionally the Greenback Party
advocated for soft money as opposed to gold and silver money. Additionally the farmers formed
alliances such as National Farmers Alliance to advocate the farmers’ rights.

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References
Mayhew, A. (1972). A reappraisal of the causes of farm protest in the United States, 1870–
1900. The Journal of Economic History, 32(2), 464-475.
Woodman, H. D. (1979). Post-Civil War Southern Agriculture and the Law. Agricultural
History, 53(1), 319-337.