Settling the West and the Rise of Populism

LG: Explain why and how people settled the West from the 1860’s to the early 1900’s.

1. People and Govt. Move West Government… why? i. *** Brainstorm and write down 3 reasons here. b. People… why?

2. Railroads Open the West Massive govt. land grants for laying RR lines. i. 10 to 20 sq. miles of land per 1 mile of track laid down. Central Pacific Union Pacific

Raw Materials Shipped Back East Manufactured Goods Shipped and Sold B. Importance of RR’s. i. MORE stuff moves FASTER in ALL directions! People Move Out West Raw Materials Shipped Back East Info! People! Goods! Material! Manufactured Goods Shipped and Sold

3. Govt. Support for Settlement Homestead Act, 1862-1900 i. Govt. gives out land to settle. ii. People get 160 acres. - Must farm on it for 5 years. iii. 600,000 families participate. ***Misuse… Only 10% used by intended families. - Many sold land for own gain.

*** Oklahoma Land Run Reading B. Oklahoma Land Rush 1889 i. US Govt. simply gave land away. ii. First come, first serve.

Alright, You need to build a house…

4. Living on the Plains *** After reading this quote, write what you think living on the prairies was like.

“I think, as much courage as it took to hang onto the reins that day, it took more to live twenty-four hours at a time, month in and out, on the lonely and lovely prairie, without giving up to the loneliness.”

4. Living on the Plains *** After reading this quote, write what you think living on the prairies was like. Many lived in Soddies

C. Technology helps! i. Grain Drills  ii. Barbed Wire Fences

iii. Steel Windmill Pump --------------> iv. Steel Plow

D. Morrill Act, 1862 & 1890 i. Land for agricultural colleges. ii D. Morrill Act, 1862 & 1890 i. Land for agricultural colleges. ii. Fund research and development of agriculture to help use the settled land.

5. Native American Assimilation Dawes Act i. “Kill the Indian, save the man.” ii. Broke apart NA land and sold it to American settlers. iii. Forced NA children into bording schools until about 18 y/o.

Write your first summary now… Answer your Learning Goal question now.

Populism

LG: Explain the factors that led to the rise and fall of the Populist Party from the 1860’s to the Election of 1896.

Rural Vs. Urban 1860 to 1930

Share of World Manufacturing Output in Percent 1750 1800 1860 1900   1750  1800  1860  1900  1928  1938  Great Britain  1.9  4.3  19.9  18.5  9.9  10.7  United States  0.1  0.8  7.2  23.6  39.3  31.4  Germany  2.9  3.5  4.9  13.2  11.6  12.7  Russia  5.0  5.6  7.0  8.8  5.3  9.0 

1. Populism & the Populist Party! Farmers Complain, 1800’s “Industrialization is hurting us!” Farmers Organize, 1880’s The Grange and the Farmer’s Alliance Form Political Party, 1892: The Populist Party!

2. Farmers’ Problems! a. Farmers feeling consequences of industrialization. b. Crop prices fall… A LOT. i. New tech. leads to overproduction. c. Farmers had no cash Went into debt to make a living w/ loans Banks took their land for payment d. RR’s charged crazy high prices to farmers. i. Yet, charged very cheap prices to industry partners.

3. Farmers’ Demands! a. Get Govt. to Regulate the RR Companies i. Stop the high prices! b. Make Cash More Available i. Back the dollar with silver = more hard cash. c. Constitutional Demands i. Single term for President and VP, secret ballot, & Senators to be elected by the people. d. To Get Industrial Workers to Support Them: i. 8-hour workday, restrict immigration

Farmers Organizing Organizations Representing Farmers’ Interests 1867: The Patrons of Husbandry (The Grange) 1880s: Farmers’ Alliance & Grange 1892: Birth of the Populist, or People’s Party

4. Fixing their Debt A. Farmers want inflation and to devalue money! Wait, why?!?! i. Before Inflation… - Farmer has $10k in debt (that’s what he borrowed). - Money is valued at 1 Dollar for 1 Piece of Gold - Farmers sell 2k a year in crops, hard time paying off debt. ii. After Inflation… - Debt stays at $10k (because that is what he borrowed). - Money is now valued less at 4 Dollars for 1 Piece of Silver. - Because of inflated prices, farmers now sell 8k a year in crops, much easier time paying debt.

5. Populist Party! Farmers officially form the party in 1892. i. Runs in Election of 1892 as a 3rd Party and makes a statement!

1892 Presidential Election: Populist candidate won over a million votes!

6. The Silver or Gold Issue “Silverites” i. Farmers & Laborers. ii. Bimetallism, Prices Rise, Farmers make More Money, Pay Off Debt Easier B. “Goldbugs” i. Bankers & Businessmen. ii. Gold Standard, keep the higher value of money.

***Leading to the 1896 Election Democrats – 1890s Republicans – 1890s Southerners Wealthy farmers White Southern Farmers Supported low tariffs (wanted other countries to buy their crops) Northerners Wealthy business men (connected to the railroad) Southern African Americans Supported high tariffs (didn’t want to compete with other countries’ products) Oh, and the Populists too!

7. 1896 Election & Democrats *** Now, should the Populists join another political party to better their chances at getting what they want?! Or should they remain the Populist Party and keep their own political identity?! To better their chances, Populists merge with the Democrats. i. They support William Jennings Bryan.

William Jennings Bryan

8. “Cross of Gold” Questions a. Based on the speech, how do you think farmers and workers were feeling about industry? i. Find a quote that supports your answer too. b. What makes the speech so powerful and find a quote that supports your answer too. c. Why do you think this is one of the most famous speeches in US History?

9. Election of 1896 & Republicans A. Wealthy businessmen feared inflation the “silverites” would bring. i. They fund Repub. McKinley’s campaign.

1896 Presidential Election: Bryan loses but carries most of the South and West

10. Election of 1896 A. Repub. McKinley wins. i. Populism collapses w/ farmers’ hopes. B. Populists’ Legacy: i. Proved the downtrodden could have a political impact. ii. Their reforms would be enacted later in the early 1900’s under the Progressive movement.