Agriculture in Illinois
Political conflicts continued in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War and ultimately coalesced into the most significant third-party challenge to bipartisan politics in the history of the United States. The growth of industry siphoned power away from farmers during this time period, and conflict resulted. All too often, historians frame this as a contest between rural and urban residents that arose because of different work cultures and living conditions. Sometimes farmers and laborers (both those that earned wages from agricultural labor, and those who earned wages from industrial jobs) combined forces as special interest groups organized and became politically active between 1865 and 1896. Sometimes antagonistic relationships developed. Regardless, rural depended on urban and vice versa, and the exchange between farm families and agricultural marketing and processing centers went both ways. Assume the role of a farmer in Illinois during the time period of this module (the 1870s to 1890s). First paragraph: You have heard rumblings about some non-partisan organizations for farmers, and you want to learn more about them. So would some of your neighbors. Imagine having a discussion with them about where they should turn to learn about the Grange (Patrons of Husbandry) and the Farmers Alliance in Illinois, and tell them what you think they would get out of joining. For context, draw on the secondary sources assigned for the module (textbook and articles). Pick either an argument for or against joining, and support your statement with a primary source that will provide evidence of what farmers thought that the Grange (or Farmers Alliance) had to offer farmers in Illinois at the time. Second paragraph: Fast forward several years to the formation of the Peoples Party (aka the Populists). In one paragraph, convince your peers whether they should (or should not) join. For context, draw on the secondary sources assigned for the module (textbook and articles). Pick an argument either for or against joining the third-party movement. Support your statement with a primary source that indicates attitudes of farmers toward the political movement at the time. Look for relevant primary sources in the Chicago Tribune (historical) or other newspapers published during the era. You can also look for other sources such as letters, diaries, or farmer memoirs
