During the Gilded Age and the rise of Robber Barons, a growing criticism developed especially amongst farmers. Farmers had become dependent on railroads, but most towns only had one railroad run through it. With only one option, railroads could charge any rate and could even charge different rates to different customers. This issue would be one of the first issues where farmers would start asking the government for help, something Americans had not thought of doing before. This need for help would lead to the populists movement that would change government forever.
Historically Speaking 