Settlers and Populists

Railroads open the West 170 million acres in land grants Vets and immigrants

Government support for settlement Homestead Act- 160 acres Exodusters 10% actually settled Oklahoma and Kansas

Closing of the Frontier Wilderness protection Yellowstone National Park Railroads forced to give up land 1890 no continuous frontier

Dugouts and Soddies Trees Scarce Dug into ravines or hills Blocks of sod used Pests

Women’s work Worked beside men Wheat Plowing, shearing Sponsored schools, churches

Technical Support for Farmers Steele Plow Reaping Machine Spring tooth harrow Grain drill Barbed wire Corn binder

Agricultural Education Morrill Act- gov lands to agricultural colleges Hatch Act- agriculture experiment station Agricultural innovation

Farmers in Debt Machines expensive Bonanza Farms- single crop farms- 15-50,000 acres Shipping fee

Economic distress Greenbacks Lower crop prices

Problems with the railroad High transport costs Lack of competition

Farmers Alliance Grange Fight railroads Farmers Alliance- farmer sympathizers Membership 4 million

The Populist party platform Populist- movement of the people Economic reforms proposed Graduated income tax Federal loan program 8 hour work day Eventually adopted by Democratic Party

Panic of 1893 Railroads declare bankrupt Stock prices fell 15,000 businesses and 500 banks collapse 3 million lose jobs, 1/5 workforce

Silver or Gold Bankers- Republican Farmers and laborers- Democrats Bimetallism Gold standard

Bryan and the “Cross of Gold” Democrat Says gold standards crucify on cross of gold Populists support Democrats

End of Populism Bryan lost backing in northeast Lost by 500,000 votes Fear of inflation McKinley wins Presidency Populism collapses Message to organize for political impact Agenda for reform