What movement sought to promote the interests of farmers in the late 19th century?

The Populist Movement emerged in the late 19th century as a response to the struggles faced by farmers and agrarian workers in the United States. Agricultural issues, including falling crop prices, high railroad freight rates, and a lack of access to credit and resources, prompted farmers to seek collective solutions to improve their economic conditions.

This movement aimed to unite various rural populations against the economic difficulties they faced, advocating for reforms such as the regulation of railroads, the establishment of a graduated income tax, and the coinage of silver to increase the money supply, which they believed would lead to inflation and benefit indebted farmers. The Populist Party, which formed from this movement, represented the interests of farmers and laborers, pushing for social and economic reforms that would alleviate their hardships.

While the Progressive Movement also sought to address social and economic issues, its focus extended beyond just agricultural concerns to encompass a wider range of reforms affecting urban areas and society at large. The Labor Movement primarily concentrated on the rights and conditions of industrial workers rather than farmers, and the Civil Rights Movement centered on ending racial segregation and discrimination. Thus, the Populist Movement specifically targeted and aimed to promote the interests of farmers during this period.