The purposes were similar to those set forth by the Grange.

In Arkansas appeared the Agricultural Wheel and the Brothers of Freedom, which were soon consolidated.

The Farmers' Union of Louisiana and the Alliance of Texas were also united under the name of the National Farmers' Alliance and Cooeperative Union of America.
This was soon united with the Arkansas Wheel, which had crossed state lines.
A session of the National Alliance was held at St.Louis in 1889 with delegates present from every Southern State, except West Virginia, and from some of the Middle Western States.

The National Assembly of the Knights of Labor was also held in St.Louis at this time, and a joint declaration of beliefs was put forth.

This platform called for the issue of more paper money, abolition of national banks, free coinage of silver, legislation to prevent trusts and corners, tariff reform, government ownership of railroads, and restriction of public lands to actual settlers.
The next year, the annual convention of the Alliance was held at Ocala, Florida, and the Ocala platform was published.