The Union paysanne d'Alsace was established in February 1924 in Colmar by farmers from Haut-Rhin as a reaction against the pro-government agricultural federation of Alsace-Lorraine.
Initially a professional organization, it advocated a corporative structure, rejected Marxism and capitalism, and was rooted in social Christianity.
In 1934, Bilger transitioned the Bauernbund into politics amidst a crisis affecting small farmers in Alsace and Moselle.
[5] Although they were Alsatian regionalists they had close links with the French nationalist Comités de défense paysanne,[6] who didn't organize in Alsace because of the Bauernbund's presence.
[7] In 1935, the Union paysanne was integrated into the newly founded antiparliamentary Front national du travail (FNT).