The Great West & Gilded Age American History II - Unit 1 Ms. Brown

Review For what reasons did Americans want to move west? New economic opportunities (land ownership, farming, cattle, gold/mining) Define assimilation. A minority group’s adoption of the cultural beliefs of the dominant culture. What is the significance of the Battle of Wounded Knee? Marked the end of large scale conflicts with NAs What invention is said to have “tamed the west?” Barbed wire – could easily divide up land plots Which federal law gave 160 acres to any citizen over 21 who was the head of the household? Homestead Act (1862) For what reasons were farmers in debt by the late 1800s? Bad weather, expensive machinery, falling wheat prices, increased railroad shipping costs, high interest rates on loans

1.2 – Farmers & Populism

Farmers Unite: Socially 1867 – The Grange founded Educated farmers on the best farming techniques and practices Lobbied fed gov’t to regulate the railroads’ shipping rates Farmers’ Alliances Educate farmers and other people about banks’ unfair high interest rates and unjust railroad practices

Farmers Unite: Politically Populism – movement of the common people The Populist Party (1892) AKA The People’s Party Became the political voice of the farmer (common people) Forms some of the foundation of the modern Democratic party – the gov’t is responsible for reforming injustices Omaha Platform (Populist goals): Increase money in circulation  raise prices Graduated income tax Government ownership of railroads to fight high prices

Early Success of the Populists In elections during 1892, the Populist party did well 3 governors, 5 senators, 10 in Congress

Panic of 1893 Railroad industry expanded too quickly to make money. Farmer debt  can’t pay shipping costs Small gold supply in the fed reserve. 1893 – Railroad companies started going bankrupt  stocks fell  people try to exchange paper money for gold  banks collapse  loss of savings and jobs.

Silver or Gold? Gold Bugs Silverites Gold standard – using only gold to back currency $ more valuable Less ppl have $ Prices decrease What did they want? Bimetallism – using both gold and silver to back currency More $ in circulation More ppl have $ Prices increase Republicans – POTUS Cleveland Industrialized north Bankers, businessmen Who? Democrats and Populists Agriculturally based south and west Farmers and laborers Loans would be repaid in stable $. Why? Products would be sold at high prices. DEFLATION – prices fall, value of $ increases, fewer ppl have money. Effects? INFLATION – prices rise, value of money decreases, more people have money.

Election of 1896 Republicans – William McKinley Democrats and Populists – William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan Nebraskan congressman Strong debating and speech skills Supported the “common man”

Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech Bryan’s impassioned speech supporting bimetallism Democratic national convention “You shall not press down upon this brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!”

Election of 1896 - Results 25th POTUS = McKinley Bimetalism did not appeal to urban workers who would suffer from higher prices Populist party fell apart

Legacy of the Populists The downtrodden could organize and have a political impact Catalyst for reform movements in the gov’t (politically and economically) “Populism in 10 Minutes”

Wizard of Oz and Populism Gold Standard Yellow Brick Road Farmers Scarecrow Bryan (Cowardly) Lion Industrialization Tin Man Silver standard/Bimetalism Dorothy’s Slippers, ( "Your Silver Shoes will carry you over the desert.....If you had known their power you could have gone back to your Aunt Em the very first day you came to this country.“) Common Americans, farmers Dorothy Politicians Wizard Plains Indians Winged Monkeys Bankers Wicked Witch of the East: Nature Wicked Witch of the West (water kills, farmers need water) Middle class and below Munchkins, Little people of society , formed in gilds Washington DC Emerald City Change Tornado Wizard of Oz and Populism Allegory – characters or events represent or symbolize ideas and concepts. Ex: Women in political cartoons or historical images are used to represent liberty, democracy, etc. Article on Wizard of Oz and Populism Wizard of Oz “Trailer”