>>512299448The worldwide socialists movements of the early 20th century were very unique in the US. Of course, it has more to do that the United States started out with a fresh slate with regards to the state not restricting agriculture labor ownership, in fact encouraging it up until the eye could see through their headright and homestead acts. Unlike 99% of all other countries in the world, as the US expelled or killed the natives, the land was up for grabs and given to any citizen who wanted the land to farm and pay taxes. Unlike in other countries such as in Europe, Asia, and those in the Americas where most societies still had feudal, peonage, or serf systems. With little to no farm ownership for non-noble or aristocrat connected individuals.
And the reason mentioning the socialists movements of the 20th century is relevant here is that most Americans who fought the corporations of oil, railroad, steel, ship building, slaughter houses, and car companies were the ones advocating for better pay and labor rights for urban workers. Since there was really no rural peasant class in the US, farmers were exempted from almost all labor standard. Because at the time, the South still had share cropping with African-Americans and many farms in the North were still family operated. Later, once the rise of coops and corporate farming became a thing, it was already too late to start a farm labor movement. Although one did start out West, it really had minimal impact. And thus, farm wages will stay low for the foreseeable future as a legacy of the US' unique start.
