Tom Watson and Rebecca Felton Latimer More Folks who wanted to make changes in Georgia 8th Grade GA History

Populists Populism was a new political party created for political equality for all farmers, black and white “The crushing burdens which now oppress both races in the South will cause each [race] to…see a similarity of cause and a similarity of remedy. They will recognize that each should help the other in the work of repealing bad laws and enacting good ones.” Tom Watson, political campaign speech

Tom Watson and the Populists Leader of the Populist/Progressive movement in GA Established the rural free delivery bill Allowed rural farmers to get their mail for free instead of traveling to pick up their mail Became Populist VP candidate in 1896 Fought against the lynching of African Americans

Tom Watson and the Populists While Tom tried to do good, his views on race changed White Supremacist – belief that the white race is superior to others and should control government Targeted African Americans, Jews & Catholics Tom Watson

Rebecca Latimer Felton Rebecca Felton was a heroine to some She was the first woman to ever serve as a Senator in the United States She inspired many women to dream big and helped women gain the right to vote She also used her status as a writer to fight to end the convict-lease system and to make alcohol illegal.

Rebecca Latimer Felton Rebecca Felton was a villain to others She was a white supremacist who referred to blacks as “half-civilized gorillas” Believed that giving blacks the right to vote led directly to the rape of white women She also supported the lynching of black men (cause of rape of women) Rebecca Latimer Felton

Draw Watson & Felton how YOU view them: Hero? Or Villain? On the LINES, describe the GOOD and the BAD things each person accomplished On the PICTURE, draw a representation of how those things makes this person look TO YOU.