The late 19th century, known as the Gilded Age, brought with it what can be termed an industrial revolution, and resulted in the advent of the suffering of the working class as money and power became concentrated in the hands of the elite upper class. Government policy during the time regarding business and the economy was much more lax, in accordance with Smith's laissez-faire capitalism. This capitalism became perverted as businesses turned into enormous monopolies …showed first 75 words of 963 total…

…showed last 75 words of 963 total…nearly everyone was hurt by the depression, the farmers were hit hardest and then hurt even more by unfavorable legislation and unfair practices such as monopolies and railroad rebates. Clearly, laissez-faire capitalism was not working for the consumer as intended, and the farmers were fully justified in their complaints. However, the farmer's discontent and political action during the time later helped to shape politics and the economy to confront the issues the country was facing.