Question

The founder of the Grange movement was:
A. George Washington Carver
B. Oliver Kelley
C. Pap Singleton
D. Cornelius Vanderbilt
E. Denis Kearney

Answer 1

Hint: The Grange movement, also known as the patrons of husbandry, was a coalition of American farmers. This was an important movement for the socio-economic rights of the farmers in the United States. This movement occurred during the decade following the civil war.

Complete Answer:
During the late 19th century, when the height of laissez-faire economics was taking place in American history and was heading towards the progressive area, the Grange movement took place. The Grange was a union of farmers who fought collectively to fight against the injustice and corruptions done against them by oppressive monopolies. The Grange movement was led by a man called Oliver Hudson Kelly. He worked for the Department of Agriculture and after a tour of the South and looking into the enslavement of the southern farmers and their outworn methods of agriculture; he decided to form the Patrons of husbandry for education and economic purposes around 1867. The Patrons of husbandry or the Grange movement formed a sense of community among the farmers and allowed their voices to be heard. The main concerns of the first Granges were the railroad companies and grain storage facilities. These companies were owned by famous names such as Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller, James Duke, and Commodore Vanderbilt. They formed a monopoly in the railroad industry which allowed them to charge the farmers at a ridiculous rate for transporting and storing agricultural products. This was a major cause for farmers to join the Grange movement. Farmers in the Grange movement worked to fight against the high rates which were imposed on them by the leaders of major businesses.
So, the correct answer is Option B.

Note: The Grange movement was a grass-roots effort to bring socio-economic development among the farmers and helped a great deal to improve the conditions of the farmers in the Midwest. Founded by Oliver Kelley, the Grange and the farmer’s alliances also sought ways to put an end to the federal government’s economic policies which heavily favored the industry over agriculture.