Evolution Of Agriculture

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The Evolution of Agriculture in America (1865-1995)
U.S. History 202
Mr. Dan Conn
Northeastern Junior College
Fleming High School
Drew Whittington

The Evolution of Agriculture in America (1865-1995)
Agriculture—it’s something that not very many people know much about. However, it is important for us to survive. Almost everything in our everyday lives is agriculture-related, from the food you eat to the clothes you wear.
In 1870, the total U.S. population was about 38.6 million, with 18.4 million as the farming population. At this time, farmers made up 53% of the total labor force. There were almost 2.7 million farms, each having an average size of 153 acres (Historical Timeline). Also, with the end of slavery brought a new way of farming for the south. This new system was known as “sharecropping”, and replaced the slave plantation system (A Condensed History of American Agriculture 1776–1999).
In addition, cattle people didn’t have a real great way to contain their livestock. During this time, it was known as an “open range” because the cattle could go wherever they wanted to. However, in 1874, barbed wire became available. The fencing of this rangeland quickly put an end to the open range grazing era (A Condensed History of American Agriculture 1776–1999).
Another major breakthrough in farming history is the invention of the tractor. Steam-powered tractors were being tried out as early as 1868 (Historical Timeline). However, they didn’t really take off until several years later. These tractors were monsters, usually weighing in at around 20,000 pounds or more. Some of these tractors had very high power outputs for their time. One example of this is the Case 150 horsepower steam traction engine that w...

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... the AAA started their program, and there was less food at a higher price after it set into action (The Farming Problem).
Farming income increased greatly with the AAA in charge, though. In three years, cotton, wheat, and corn prices doubled. Farmers greatly approved of this program, as they could make more money with smaller inputs into their crops. This program was great for farmers who owned their own land. However, tenant farmers and sharecroppers didn’t do so well. They didn’t receive the government aid, and it instead went to the landlord. In return, the landowners often bought better equipment with the government aid, which reduced the need for farm labor. This almost brought a complete end to the practice of sharecropping in the United States (The Farming Problem).
Then in 1936, the Supreme Court put an end to the AAA by declaring it unconstitutional.

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