Prairie Trilogy recalls the story of a remarkable socialist movement in North Dakota in the early 1900s and is narrated by Henry Martinson, a socialist, labor supporter, and poet. Using humor, songs, poetry, and archival footage, Henry recalls his homesteading days and the socialist farming movement in North Dakota. Divided into three films, Prairie Trilogy is autobiographical and spans Henry Martinson’s active life.
In Prairie Fire Henry describes the tough farming conditions in North Dakota. After farmers finish the season, they haul their grain to the nearest grain elevator where the grain is graded; this determines the price the farmer receives per bushel. Next, the grain is transported to Minneapolis by train and the railroads charge their fee. The grain is graded again. Actual film footage shows farmers guiding horse-driven threshing machines, using pitch forks to load the wheat on to wagons, and transporting their product to the grain elevators. Farmers are upset they receive so little return on their investment while businessmen in Minneapolis, the railroad, and bankers out east earn a considerable profit. Feeling the system is rigged against them, the farmers take action. In 1915, A.C. Tomley and others form a plan to organize the farmers, take over the Republican Party, and institute a platform calling for a state-owned bank, low-cost loans, and a state-owned elevator giving framers more control over production and distribution. Film clips show large picnic rallies with farmers and their families listening to speeches. The movement turns into the creation of a new political party, The Nonpartisan League (NPL), and, its candidate for governor, Lynn J. Frasier, wins the election. A state grain grading system is created; farmers are exempt from taxes on improvements; and, railroad rates are reduced. In 1918 Frasier is reelected and the NPL wins both houses of the legislature. State banks are established and ground is broken for a grain elevator. The governor, attorney general, and commissioners for agriculture and energy form the Industrial Commission to plan new endeavors. North Dakota is on a socialist path and the opposition fights back with yellow journalism and a successful recall demand for the governor and the commission in 1921. The socialist experiment ends with the depression.
In Rebel Earth and Survivor Henry Martinson is now in his 90s and talks about his life. At age 21 Henry purchases a homestead in northwestern North Dakota where he lives in a sod shanty for 18 months. Lacking money for horses and farm equipment, Henry leaves for Minot and joins the Socialist Party. He organizes for the NPL, works for the Commission of Labor for 28 years, and edits the socialist paper, the Iconoclast. Accompanied by farmer Jon Ness, Henry revisits the places he lived and worked. With wonderful archival photos and film clips, this documentary paints a startling picture of the labor movement in North Dakota and one man’s enduring support of it. Aud: H, C, P. Strong Optional.