The Ocala Platform primarily emerged as a result of a protest movement involving which group?

The Ocala Platform primarily emerged from a protest movement involving small farmers in the late 19th century. This group faced numerous challenges, including falling crop prices, rising debt, and the monopolistic practices of railroads and other corporations that negatively impacted their livelihoods. In response to these hardships, small farmers organized into movements such as the National Farmers' Alliance, which sought to address their grievances through political action and reform.

The Ocala Platform, established in 1890, articulated the demands of these farmers, advocating for issues such as the regulation of railroads, the establishment of a sub-treasury plan to aid farmers, and the adoption of a more flexible monetary policy to combat deflation. It signified a broader populist movement that aimed to give more political voice and economic power to rural constituents, reflecting the plight and aspirations of small farmers during that era.