Farmers & the Populist Movement Late 1800s

As the railroads begin stretching westward, farmers & other settlers follow.

Farmers Face Problems in late 1800s Cycle of Debt 1) Railroads charged high prices to transport goods 3) Mortgaged farms to buy more land 2) Prices for crops were low

Farmers are “swimming” in debt

Notice the growth of railroads over a 20 year period Notice the growth of railroads over a 20 year period. Farmers in the West still have limited choices for shipping their products back East. They have to pay the prices charged by the railroads or end up not being able to ship their goods.

Farmers Deal w/Problems The Grange –created in 1867 originally to provide a social outlet & an educational forum for isolated farm families 1870s – engaged in battle against railroads Taught members: How to organize How to set up farmers’ cooperatives How to sponsor state legislation to regulate railroads

Farmers Deal w/Problems Farmers’ Alliances Grew out of the Grange movement Included farmers & others who sympathized Membership grew to more than 4 million Led to the foundation of a political party

Populism “People’s Party” founded in 1892 Give people a greater voice in their gov’t. Populist Platform was very popular for farmers and laborers Eventually became the platform of the Democratic Party Key Concept – “gov’t is responsible for reforming social injustices”

Populist Platform Economic reforms Other reforms Governmental reforms  in Money supply Graduated income tax Federal loan program Other reforms 8-hour workday Restrictions on immigration Governmental reforms Election of US Senators by Popular vote Single terms for President/ Vice President Secret ballot to end voter fraud

Mary Elizabeth Lease Famous lecturer & leader of Populism Worked hard to show women could be a part of the political arena “Raise less corn & more hell”

Panic of 1893 Economy dipped into a depression Govt/Business Investment declined Consumer purchases, wages, prices = Dec. 1894 – 1/5 workforce unemployed Caused a deep division politically: Business owners/bankers of Northeast vs. Farmers/Laborers of South/West 4052243248

Monetary Dispute Key campaign issue in 1896 People regarded paper money as worthless if it could not be turned in for gold or silver Deflation vs. Inflation Argument

Monetary System Dispute “Gold Bugs” vs. “Silverites”

Characteristics of Debate Gold Bugs Silverites Who They Were Bankers & businessmen Farmers & laborers What They Wanted Gold standard Less money in circulation Bimetallism More money in circulation Why Loans would be repaid in stable money Products would be sold at higher prices Effects Deflation Inflation

Cross of Gold Speech William Jennings Bryan Democratic & Populist Nominee for President Supported combined gold and silver standard “you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold” Gained 6.5 million votes but lost the election Brought end to Populist Party

Legacy of Populism Downtrodden could organize & have political impact Agenda of reforms that would be enacted in the 20th century The Independent People's Party (Populist) Convention at Columbus, Nebraska, where Omer Kem was nominated for Congress, July 15, 1890, photo by Solomon D. Butcher. Source - NSHS, RGRG2608.PH:000000-002184

Activity – Directions: Utilize your notes from the PowerPoint & Chapter 5 from your textbook to complete the following activity. Identify the causes of the rise of the Populist Party and the effects the party had. Combine the cause & effects from #1 into a graphic organizer. In a paragraph, explain which effect has the most impact today?

References Danzer, G.,et.al, 2003. The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston: McDougal Littell. NebraskaStudies.org “The Populists” http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0600/frameset_reset.html?http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0600/stories/0601_0303.html 1896: Mary Elizabeth Lease http://projects.vassar.edu/1896/lease.html