Election of 1892  Grover Cleveland (Dem)  Benjamin Harrison (Rep)  James B. Weaver (Populist)

Coxey’s Army In 1894 Jacob S. Coxey, a populist lumber dealer from Ohio leads a mass march of unemployed workers to Washington D.C. to demand reforms.

Wizard of Oz considered by some historians to be an allegory about Populism  Allegory- a narrative in which the actions of characters represent abstract ideas or moral principles  Coxey’s march on Washington may be likened to Dorothy’s band in the popular motion picture the Wizard of Oz.

“Your Crazy!!! How is the Wizard of Oz an allegory of Populism?”  Dorothy represents the typical innocent Midwestern farmer suffering from the abuses of corrupt politics and big business.  Her enemy is the Wicked Witch of the West who many consider to be representing the Railroad Monopolist who exert control over the farmers with unfair freight rates

Frank L. Baum  The original Wizard of Oz series which was written by Frank L. Baum during the late 1800’s as a children’s story, may also contain a political allegory.

Plot Analysis  Dorothy travels the yellow brick road with her band toward Emerald City in order to meet the Wizard of Oz (President McKinley) who will fix all there problems.  The yellow brick road represents the economy based on the gold standard  Dorothy wears silver slippers in Baum's original books that represent Midwestern farmers desire for bimetallism.

Character Analysis  Scarecrow-Midwestern farmer who is too naive to realize the roots of his problems lie with the railroads and big bankers.  Tin Woodsman- Eastern laborers who have turned into heartless machines as a result of factory labor. Powerless laborer found unable to speak out against workplace abuses.

Character Analysis  The Cowardly Lion- Represents William Jennings Bryan who ran against William McKinley in the election of  The lion was strong vocally, but ultimately weak politically.  Bryan ran for President on three occasions and lost, but delivered a famous “Cross of Gold Speech”; which drew attention to the plight of the farmers.

Works Cited  Jacobs, Dan. The Wonderful Wizard of OZ.