Until the late 1800s, agriculture was losing its place as the largest economy in the United States. Farmers felt they were undervalued and exploited, even as they produced food for distribution nationwide. Although agriculture was critical to the nation's survival, farmers faced devastating natural causes, outrageously high tariffs on land and transportation, and unsuccessful attempts at politics. In 1849, agriculture was the largest economy in the United States. As time passed, other economies grew, while the agricultural economy halved in just 50 years and was overtaken by manufacturing. (Doc G) Farmers fought for success and support, but instead received very little of it. According to the Department of Agriculture, the summer of 1894 brought many harvest difficulties nationwide. Crops in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota were all damaged by drought, while New Jersey crops suffered from an abundance of rain. Temperatures and insects also devastated crops. Nebraska was the only state able to maintain stable crops that summer. (Doc H) Despite the occasional force of nature working against them, farmers continued to struggle and preserve themselves to grow and harvest their crops. In 1896, an agricultural advocate, William Jennings Bryan, explained the importance of farms in his famous “Golden Cross” speech. He stated that a ruined city could be resurrected, but all walks of life would be devastated if farms were destroyed. (Doc A) People did not understand the importance that agriculture had in their lives and, by taking it for granted, further aggravated the suffering of farmers. Once the Civil War was over,...... middle of paper.... ..ted States, but its defeat confirmed that this was not true. Once again the Populists appealed to the minority Farmers' Party, leaving the majority of businessmen to appeal to the opposing candidate, William McKinley. (Doc I) This led to another defeat for the Populists, putting McKinley in the White House. For years, farmers faced trial after trial from natural, social, and political enemies. Natural causes and scandalous rates were ready to strike at any moment, devastating all their hard work. To succeed, farmers banded together into the Populist Party to try to gain influence in U.S. politics. Although they gained supporters along the way, this was not enough to win the Presidency. Despite all these difficulties, farmers continued to preserve so that one day they would get the support and success they deserved.