What was the goal of the Southern Tenant Farmers' Union?

The Southern Tenant Farmers' Union (STFU) was primarily aimed at improving conditions for tenant farmers during the 1930s, a time when many agricultural workers faced significant economic hardships due to the Great Depression and exploitative labor practices. The STFU sought to address issues such as unfair wages, substandard living conditions, and lack of access to resources needed for farming. It was an early labor organization that aimed to unite both white and black tenant farmers in their common struggles, advocating for better pay, reasonable working hours, and the right to organize. This unified approach helped highlight the plight of tenant farmers and pushed for more equitable treatment within the agricultural system.

While promoting agricultural education, advocating for civil rights, and establishing cooperatives for farming were all important issues in the broader context of economic reform and social justice, the union's chief focus was centered on the immediate improvement of living and working conditions for tenant farmers. This purpose was crucial for establishing a collective voice that could negotiate better terms in an increasingly industrialized South.