F ARMERS AND P OPULISM 16.3

O BJECTIVES Analyze the problems farmers faced and the groups they formed to address them. Assess the goals of the Populists, and explain why the Populists Party did not last

K EY P ARTS Farmers Face Many Problems Farmers Organize and Seek Change The Populist Party Demands Reforms Economic Crisis and Populism’s Decline Populism’s Legacy

I NTRODUCTION Read section 16.3 Answer critical thinking questions 4&5, determining relevance and synthesizing information.

F ARMERS F ACE M ANY P ROBLEMS After the Civil War millions of men and women migrated West in search of the American Dream. Unfortunately in the late 1880s and early 1890s this dream turned into a nightmare. This nightmare sparked a social and political revolt known as populism. (poor farmers, small landholders and low income urban workers)

C ONT. The farmers were willing to face the difficulties of farm life; however they weren’t ready for the high cost for transportation of goods and low prices for their crops. Between 1870 and 1895 farm prices dropped dramatically; cotton which sold for 15 cents a pound in 1870, sold for only 6 cents a pound in the 1890s.

C ONT.. Also by the 1890s it cost farmers more to produce corn than they could get by selling it, so they burned it and used it as fuel. Farmers during this time did not have as much representation in congress. Most congressmen at this time came from urban areas. Farmers blamed a lot of the issue on railroads and bankers. Railroads would have inconsistent charges for transportation and banks charge too much interest on loans.

F ARMERS O RGANIZE AND S EEK C HANGE Farmers created a network of organizations, first in the Midwest and then in the South and West to address their problems. The Granger movement also known as the “Patrons of Husbandry” was the first. The Grange tries several strategies; organized in 1867 by Oliver H. Kelley a Minnesota farmer, businessman, journalist, and government clerk.

C ONT. The Grange attracted about a million members, and the goals of the Grange included providing education on new farming techniques and calling for the regulation of railroad and grain elevator rates. The Grange was able to enact several laws limiting the cost of transportation and also was able to establish the ICC or Interstate Commerce Commission to oversee interstate transportation.

C ONT.. In the late 1870s the Grange declined as the Farmers Alliance arose. The Farmers Alliance created co-ops to sell their goods. They also called on the Federal government to establish “sub-treasuries,” or postal banks to provide farmers with low interest loans. These alliances were very effective in reducing cost of business and raising the price of the crops.

T HE P OPULIST P ARTY D EMANDS R EFORM The spread of the Farmers’ Alliances culminated with the formation of the Populist Party or the People’s Party in The Populists wanted to create a brand new political party from the roots up. From local, to state, to the national level. The Populists party spread rapidly putting pressure on the two major political parties.

C ONT. The Populist Party stated their platform in Omaha Nebraska in July They warned about the dangers of political corruption and inadequate monetary supply, and an unresponsive government. For a new political party the Populist Party did well in Weaver (their presidential candidate) won over one million votes for presidency, elected three governors, five senators, and ten congressmen.

C ONT.. In 1894 the Populist Party continued to grow and expand its base, gaining seats in the state legislature. The Populist Party had to unite blacks and whites in the south to gain enough votes to be effective. However, the democratic party tried to expose the Populist Party tactics to drive down their momentum.

E CONOMIC C RISIS AND P OPULISM ’ S D ECLINE In 1893 a four year long depression began that not only worsened conditions for already suffering farmers but for the other Americans as well. Initially the Populist Party grew due to the dissatisfactory performance from the two major political parties. The Party’s decision to nominate William Jennings Bryan as their presidential candidate gave them hope in the 1896 election.

C ONT. Bryan was known for is ability to debate successfully and to stand up for the common people. Bryan was also the first to campaign and tour across the nation, speaking directly to the people. Despite his efforts he was not able to amass enough votes to win the election of 1896, thus the Populist Party’s decline.

P OPULISM ’ S L EGACY Populist’s failed to win a state outside of the south and West. The decision to endorse Bryan further weakened the Populists. They were not able to gain any momentum after the election of 1896 and ultimately disappeared in the early 1900s. Most of the Populist supporters went to the Democratic Party.