The farmers' movements of the late 1800s, notably the Granger movement and the Populist Party, significantly shaped the economic and political landscape of the United States. Economically, these movements emerged in response to the challenges posed by industrialization, railroad monopolies, and fluctuating crop prices, which left many farmers in debt and struggling. The Grangers initially focused on cooperative buying and selling to bypass exploitative middlemen, while the Populist Party sought broader reforms, advocating for policies like the regulation of railroads, the free coinage of silver to increase money supply, and the establishment of a graduated income tax. Politically, these movements galvanized rural voters and highlighted class tensions between agrarian interests and urban industrial elites, leading to the election of several Populist candidates and influencing major parties to adopt some of their reforms. Ultimately, the farmers' movements laid the groundwork for future reform movements and highlighted the significant role of agrarian politics in shaping American democracy.
in a paragraph, trace the economic and political impact of farmers' movements in the late 1800's
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