Paper Topic:

3.The surge in industrial development and the western expansion of the United States were a major cause of the protest movements of the farmers.

Industrial Development and Western Expansion 's Effect on US Farmers

True , the United States of America 's surge in industrial development and western expansion were indeed crucial factors that led to protests by farmers . This is evidenced by many different events that occurred during the time when industrialization was most in focus in the United States . This onset of industrial boom occurred some time between the 18th century and the 20th century

The fist thing that should be tackled here in for one to understand the truth behind the initial statement of

this essay is the Western United States . This refers to the westward expansion of the United States . Because of the demand for more land , the rich prairie lands of the west proved to be a lucrative source for larger areas of development . Many chose to pursue a life in the west and resided there

America 's expansion towards its west allowed more than 400 million acres of free land to be utilized for whatever purposes could be thought of by its new owners . This had numerous implications for the American citizen most especially to the American farmer . Land became available in bulk over night . However , despite this availability , farmers and farm labor decreased by at least 30 during this stage

This decrease in production may have been due to the increase in individuals who could provide satisfaction to the market 's demand for agricultural products . Thus greater production also led to lower costs for the said products on the agricultural market . Farmers found themselves unable to compete with this change

The industrial development which had already begun at that time also contributed to this . Farmers found themselves unable to deal with industrialization . The industrialization of the agricultural industry meant new innovations , new machines

Some of these innovations included railroads which allowed the harvested agricultural products to reach the market more quickly . Other innovations such as the refrigerator allowed for preservation of the produce . Farm yields now reached more distant places but could also now be processed in factories to last longer

This meant that the farmers were up against a major competitor in the food industry , markets and globalization . Local family farms found themselves unable to keep up with the tide of new instruments . Although machines were available for them to work more efficiently such as the reaper , the steal plow , and the harvester , these were not enough for the greater capabilities of factories and national manufacturers

The marginalization of the individual farmer in the face of westward expansion and industrial development brought much distress and discontent . Protests were held and many voiced their frustration at the economical change that seemed to have happened over night . Farmer organizations such as The Grange and Farmers Alliance were established These worked to demand regulations , protective tariffs , trade policies conservative monetary policies and the like

It is clear from the evidence given that westward expansion and industrial development truly were factors in the protests of farmers Whether these two issues...

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