Lesson 33. Rural America

Study Notes

As America grew, many Americans lived and worked in rural areas, initially welcoming changes that promised prosperity for their farms and towns.

City businesses often had lower costs for goods and shipping compared to small-town businesses.
Small-town residents could order goods from city businesses and have them shipped by train, increasing choices and lowering costs.
Small-town businesses struggled to compete with larger city businesses.

Farmers faced increased competition due to railroads that allowed crops to be shipped to more places.
Industrial progress enabled farmers to grow more food, leading to an oversupply and lower prices.
Farmers who had borrowed money for seed or equipment struggled to repay their debts due to reduced profits.
Expenses included the cost of transporting goods via railroads and storing them in warehouses.
Buildings where farmers stored grain were called granges, and the farmers were known as grangers.

Farmers formed the Granger movement to advocate for laws that favored them.
They sought government intervention to lower railroad and warehouse charges.
They also wanted the government to print more paper money.
Most of these ideas did not become law, as they were not considered beneficial for the nation as a whole.

Rural Americans questioned the need for hard-surface roads desired by city dwellers, as they maintained their own roads.
Farmers resisted attempts to change the one-room schoolhouse and opposed the introduction of grades.
They wanted to maintain control over their children's education, focusing on reading, writing, and math.

Americans had more leisure time outside of work and church, in both urban and rural areas.
Entertainment began to replace church and volunteer work, raising concerns among some Christians.

Some Christians established retreat centers, similar to camps, offering fun activities along with Bible studies, sermons, and prayer meetings.
These centers provided opportunities for activities like hiking, boating, and concerts while keeping faith at the center.

The late 1800s were marked by growth and the establishment of businesses that laid the foundation for American success.
Cities offered opportunities but also faced challenges like crime and corruption.
Christians faced challenges from false teachers but continued to help those in need and evangelize.
The era presented both challenges and opportunities, with God blessing Americans with growth and expansion.
Americans needed to ensure that their growth aligned with God's will.