The Grange and Populist Movements “The Plight of the Farmer”
Farmers South: inefficient sharecropping system West: Migration West Homestead Act Exodusters Hardships on the prairie
Problems of Farmers Difficulty of farmers Decline in commodity prices International competition Railroads High tariffs Debt Inadequate currency
Organizations for Farmers The Grange 1867 Oliver Kelley Educating farmers Regulation of railroads & grain elevator rates (Grange Laws) Interstate Commerce Commission The Farmer’s Alliance Goals Mary Elizabeth Lease
The Populist Movement Goals William Jennings Bryan Free coinage of silver One term for Pres Popular election of senators Secret ballot An 8 hour workday Nationalization of railroads Immigration restriction Income tax William Jennings Bryan
“Cross of Gold” If they dare to come out in the open field and defend the gold standard as a good thing, we shall fight them to the uttermost, having behind us the producing masses of the nation and the world. Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.
Election of 1896 Republicans Democrats Populists Outcome William McKinley Democrats William Jennings Bryan Cross of Gold Populists Outcome McKinley