The paper explains that the primary reasons people joined the Democratic Party during the middle decades of the 19th century
were economic, the welcoming of
immigrants, and the Populist movement. The author points out that the idea that the Democratic Party would create a more
egalitarian country in which talent and ambition and energy mattered more than family background and connection was very appealing. The paper reports that the Granger Movement, which had strong allegiances to the Democratic Party, had broad goals, seeking to improve not only the economic conditions of farmers, but also their social status and political power. Table of Contents Introduction A President of the People The Grangers as Archetypal Democrats Conclusion