State Historical Society of Iowa

"Electricity and the Farm" Newspaper Article, February 28, 1901

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Courtesy of Newspaper Archive, "Electricity and the Farm," The Ames Times, pg. 1, 28 February 1901

Description

At the beginning of the 20th century, several new inventions were changing life for many Americans, especially in the cities. Some changes were spreading to the countryside, like rural free delivery, while others would take longer to spread through the countryside. While not all of this author's predictions would hold true, they did provide a justification for the spread of modern life to the countryside.

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Source Dependent Questions

  • How would the spread of electricity both directly and indirectly benefit farmers, according to this article?
  • How does the author characterize the farmer? Does this description justify efforts to expand modern life into the rural areas? Provide specific evidence to support your answer.
  • Does the portrayal of the farmer in this article support the idea that farmers could have access to a modern life without leaving the farm? Provide specific evidence to support your answer.

Citation Information

"Electricity and the Farm," The Ames Times, pg. 1, 28 February 1901. Courtesy of Newspaper Archive Courtesy of Library of Congress