Agrarianism

Definition

Agrarianism is a social and political philosophy that values rural society as vital to the health of the nation and promotes farming as the backbone of economic stability. It emphasizes the importance of agricultural communities, advocating for policies that support farmers and their lifestyles, often viewing agrarian values as essential for democracy and civic virtue. In the context of economic and social changes, agrarianism often reflects the tension between industrialization and traditional farming practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Agrarianism gained traction in the late 19th century as a response to rapid industrialization, which many believed threatened traditional farming lifestyles.
2. The philosophy advocates for land ownership among individuals rather than corporations, promoting small-scale farming as a means of maintaining economic independence.
3. In the South, agrarianism was closely tied to the preservation of a social order based on race and class, often romanticizing a pre-industrial rural life.
4. The populist movements of the late 19th century were heavily influenced by agrarianism, calling for reforms that would benefit farmers and rural communities against corporate interests.
5. Agrarian ideals have influenced various policies, including those aimed at protecting family farms and advocating for fair prices for agricultural products.

Review Questions

• How did agrarianism respond to industrialization in the late 19th century?
  • Agrarianism emerged as a reaction against the rapid industrialization that many perceived as a threat to traditional farming and rural lifestyles. It emphasized the value of agricultural communities and sought to preserve their way of life amid increasing urbanization. By advocating for small-scale farming and policies that support farmers, agrarianism aimed to counterbalance the influence of industrial capitalism on American society.
• In what ways did agrarianism influence populist movements in the United States?
  • Agrarianism significantly influenced populist movements by framing the struggles of farmers against economic elites and corporate interests. It provided a narrative that highlighted the importance of agricultural communities in sustaining democracy and civic virtue. Populists rallied around agrarian ideals, calling for reforms like fair pricing for crops and better access to land, which resonated deeply with rural voters facing economic hardship.
• Evaluate the impact of agrarianism on social structures in the New South during economic transitions.
  • Agrarianism shaped social structures in the New South by promoting a vision of society centered on agriculture and rural values, which often intertwined with racial hierarchies and class distinctions. As the region transitioned economically, agrarian ideals sometimes clashed with emerging industrial practices. This tension highlighted inequalities within agricultural systems, such as sharecropping, which perpetuated cycles of poverty among African Americans while reinforcing a nostalgic view of Southern society that sought to maintain control over land and labor. Thus, agrarianism not only influenced economic policies but also impacted social dynamics in post-Civil War Southern society.

Related terms

Populism: A political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often by contrasting them against a perceived elite establishment, particularly in relation to economic policies.

Sharecropping: An agricultural system where landowners allow tenants to use their land in exchange for a share of the crops produced, often leading to a cycle of debt and poverty.

Rural Electrification: A program initiated in the 1930s to bring electricity to rural areas, significantly impacting farming practices and rural life, thus intertwining technological advancement with agrarian values.