Period 3 & 7 We will examine the settlement of the West and the conflict that developed between farmers and the railroad. Elections 1880, 1884, 1888, 1892 Chapter 26 Notes Allegory Dark Side of the Moon

Chapter 26 continued Safety Valve Theory If the population got to large on the East Coast due to immigration, move west. Solve the problem of unemployment because one could always move west Homestead Act gave away 160 acres of land. Land was usually dry and not great for farming

Deflation Due to dry conditions farmers in west grew single crop (wheat or corn) Deflation (decrease in price) hurt farmers, many lost farms Farmers were also at mercy of railroads. Railroads overcharged farmers to take their goods to market.

Organizing Farmers The Grange attempted to organize, educate, and help farmers The Farmers Alliance attempted to collectivize their buying and selling to gain upper hand over railroad Alliance leads to Populist Party Wanted government control of railroads, telephone, and telegraph Establish a graduated income tax Free unlimited coinage of silver

Pullman Strike The American Railway Union is organized 1894 Pullman’s Palace Car Company cut wages Workers went on strike and the US Army was called to break up strike

Election of 1896 William McKinley believed in the gold standard (money backed by gold) and trickle down theory (workers do better when business makes money) William Jennings Bryan believed in unlimited coinage of silver. Gained support of Populist Party