Populism & Segregation

What hardships did Farmers face in the late 1800’s? Many farmers in debt for their farmland. Crop prices were falling –More farms/more efficient machinery = increased output –Increased output  Falling prices Large fees to use railroad to ship produce Large companies (bulk shipments) got cheaper rates than farmers.

Crop Prices Tank WHEAT: 1881: $1.19 p/bushel 1894: $0.49 p/ bushel CORN: 1881:$0.63 p/bushel 1894: $0. 18 p/bushel Source: America: The Last Best Hope – Vol 1. Bennett, William. Page 444

What group did Farmer’s start to represent their interests? Begun as social group for farmers Evolved into political group advocating farmer’s rights Fought against railroads & grain elevator operators The National Grange

Munn v. Illinois Supreme Court declared that State’s had the authority to regulate prices of private business interests used in the public good. State governments could control the prices railroads & grain elevators charged. Trend – Increased government control of private companies

The Grange weakened… Farmer’s Alliance rose as politically active group on behalf of farmers.

What monetary reform did Farmer’s Alliance call for? Increase the money supply by the government printing more money –Advocated silver be used (in addition to gold) to back up money. –Print more “greenbacks” (Fiat money) WHY? Cause Inflation – Rise in the level of prices for goods and services ** Increase value of farm produce **

Farmer’s organizations form POPULIST PARTY in 1892 Populist – claimed to speak, represent & advocate common people. Advocated: Increasing money supply/free silver Increased government regulation of business More political power for ordinary people

BIG IDEA VS.

William Jennings Bryan vs. William McKinley Election of 1896

William Jennings Bryan Becomes nominee of both the Democrat & Republican parties “We will 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.”

McKinley elected Defeat of Bryan marked the decline of Populist Party Merge with the Democratic party Many of their issues are continued by the Progressives in the 1900’s.

SEGREGATION & DISCRIMINATION

What did the 14 th & 15 th Amendments legislate? 14 th Amendment: Gave citizenship to former slaves and prohibited State’s the right to deny equal rights to any citizen 15 th Amendment: State’s prohibited from denying voting rights (suffrage) based on race. African Americans given the right to vote.

How did Southern States deny African American suffrage? Poll Taxes –Tax levied on citizens to vote. Literacy Tests Testing reading ability before being allowed to vote Grandfather Clause Could only vote if grandfather could vote before 1867 (15 th Amendment passed in 1859)

Explain the origin of the “Jim Crow” character? Character in minstrel shows to stereotype black men. “Jim Crow” characterized as lazy, stupid, less human & unworthy of rights Came to be used as a racial slang for African Americans SOURCE:

What Were “Jim Crow Laws?” Laws to force racial segregation in the South –Railroads required to have separate cars based on race (ex. Alabama) –Illegal for whites and blacks to dine in the same room at a restaurant (ex. Alabama) –Illegal for black and white children to learn at the same school (ex. Florida) –Theatres to designation separate section for blacks (ex. Virginia) SOURCE:

What was the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling? Homer Plessy (1/8 black) sat in white-only train car Arrested. Appeals that law violates 13 th & 14 th Amendments Upheld Louisiana law saying that segregation did not violate Constitution as long as separation was equal. ESTABLISHES “SEPARATE BUT EQUAL” PRINCIPLE

Who were the two main African American leaders at the turn of the century? Booker T. WashingtonW.E.B. Du Bois

How did their views differ? Believed blacks should accept segregation for the time being & work on improving their work skills Said that blacks should focus on developing vocational skills to become valuable/productive members of society Believed that hard work and the developing of virtues would help blacks gradually earn their rights Quietly used his wealth & power to fund the challenge of Jim Crow laws in the courts Booker T. Washington

Believed blacks must actively fight for full rights immediately Encouraged public protest Believed blacks needed to pursue a classical education and develop themselves intellectually Wrote of “the talented tenth” – the educated 10% of the black community that would help raise up the other 90% W.E.B. DuBois How did their views differ?