What was the chief motivation behind the creation of the Grange?

The creation of the Grange, officially known as the Patrons of Husbandry, was primarily motivated by a desire to address the social and economic challenges faced by farmers in the post-Civil War United States. It aimed to foster a sense of community among farmers and advocate for their interests in a political landscape. One of the chief motivations was indeed to engage in nonpartisan political efforts to reform agricultural practices, enhance the bargaining power of farmers against railroads and grain elevator owners, and influence legislation that would benefit rural communities.

The Grange sought to empower its members through education and cooperative efforts, allowing farmers to band together for mutual support, thus advocating for reforms like the regulation of railroad rates and grain elevator fees. This grassroots organization provided a platform for farmers to unite and voice their concerns, emphasizing the importance of political engagement while maintaining a nonpartisan stance.

The other motivations, such as promoting crop insurance or supporting large-scale monoculture farming, were not the foundation of the Grange's establishment. Similarly, while the Grange did indirectly lead to the creation of political movements and some party affiliations like the Populist Party, its primary intent was not to form political parties, but to foster community and advocate for farmers’ rights in a nonpart