Main Idea 1: Texas farmers faced serious economic challenges in the late 1800s as crop prices fell and farmers’ debts grew. Boom-and-Bust Cycle Boom in farm production led to overproduction Overproduction caused crop prices to drop Farmers also faced foreign competition, high interest rates, droughts, and rising prices of many goods and services

Main Idea 2: The Grange and the Southern Farmers’ Alliance worked for economic reforms to improve the lives of farmers. Goals of the Grange Schooling for rural families Cooperative stores for members Regulation of Railroads-to get goods to market Cooperation and social activities among farmers Goals of the Farmer’s Alliance Cooperative stores for farmers Railroad regulation Marketing help for farmers Increase in the supply of currency in circulation

Main Idea 3: Dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party led some farmers to help form the Populist Party in 1891. People’s Party Was Formed People’s Party commonly called Populist Party Wanted to reduce the influence of big business on government Called for government ownership of railroads, as well as telegraph and telephone systems Demanded 8-hour workday and an increase in the money supply

Texas Government at the end of Reconstruction Main Ideas Texas finances were in trouble because of rising public debt. To help the state get out of debt, Governor Roberts cut veterans’ pensions-wages paid after retirement. 3 Achievements at the end of Reconstruction balanced the budget restored law and order built a new state capitol

Big businesses in Texas used trusts and monopolies to increase their power and wealth, and citizens demanded change. Big Business and Free Enterprise Decreased or eliminated competition Resulted in higher prices for the goods Texans needed Most important industry was lumber. Trust-companies that join together to prevent other companies from selling the same product Monopoly-exclusive or sole control over an industry Free Enterprise-operating without government interference Antitrust Law-prevented companies from joining together to fix prices

Power of Trusts They had a monopoly, or exclusive control, of the business. When there was no competition, trusts could fix prices. Farmers and consumers could not protect themselves against such unfair practices.

Changes in Government Many Democrats objected to the Constitution of 1869 because it was written by Radical Republicans. In 1875, 90 delegates met for a constitutional convention in Austin. The Texas constitution has been amended about 400 times, but the 1876 version is still used today. After Reconstruction, most state officials were conservative-not wanting to make changes to the existing government

Main Idea 2: Texas political leaders such as Lawrence Ross, James Hogg, and James Ferguson worked to reform unfair business practices. Reforms of James Stephen Hogg As Attorney General Drove out corrupt insurance companies Increased competition and decreased price-fixing Reforms of James Stephen Hogg As Governor Hogg Laws – a number of laws regulating business (1890) Created the Texas Railroad Commission in 1891 Made reform pertaining to teacher training and prison system Began laws for corporate landholdings

Main Idea 2: Progressive reforms focused on areas such as working conditions, health and safety, and education. Category Workplace – passed labor laws improving working conditions and the first child labor law in 1903 Society – passed pure food and drug acts Education – more public schools, teacher training, compulsory school attendance

Section 4: Women and the Progressive Movement Main Ideas Progressives in Texas and other states worked to ban the sale of alcohol. Suffrage, or the right to vote, was a major goal for women in the progressive movement. No women could vote in 1900.

Main Idea 1: Progressives in Texas and other states worked to ban the sale of alcohol. Led to the temperance movement temperance movement – a social reform effort that encouraged people to drink less alcohol

Main Idea 2: Suffrage, or the right to vote, was a major goal for women in the progressive movement. Change in Life for Women and Minorities Women played a vital role in social reforms