Bellringer Friday 8/28 Pick up a copy of the song- “The Farmer is the Man” from the front table. Answer the questions IN THE BELLRINGER SECTION OF YOUR NOTEBOOK Don’t write on the handout! **Turn in your assimilation writing assignment from yesterday if you did not already turn it in yesterday

Reminders Any late work needs late work attachment- grab instructions from my cart (Procedural folder). Late work (with late work attachment) needs to be put in your period’s folder If you were absent and that’s why something is late, please be sure to write “Absent on ______ (date)” on the assignment and then place in late work folder.

Farmers and Populism FOCUS QUESTION: What led to the rise of the Populist movement, and what effect did it have?

Problems for Farmers 1. Price of Crops Goes Down because of overproduction! - Produce too many crops (overproduction) -Severe weather conditions/droughts An example of overproduction? Consider Diet Coke...

Problems for Farmers 2. Rising Debt (Farmers owe $$) -Take out big loans that have high interest rates to pay for new machinery, seed, animals etc.

Economic Distress Farmers in Midwest are caught in a vicious cycle Buy land on loans Wheat Prices drop Buy land on loans Wheat Prices drop

Economic Distress Panic of 1893 –Causes Failure of Reading and Philadelphia RRs –Effects 8000 Businesses close 150 RRs out of business 400 Banks close 20% Unemployment

Did the government help with the economic instability of the late 1800s? What more could they have done to fix the economy?

Problems for Farmers 3. Railroads are charging too much Railroad companies have no competition or regulation by the government Charge farmers very high rates to ship grain

Railroad: Good or Evil? Railroads were great for transportation and shipping produce around the country Unfortunately, they were charging outrageous prices making it difficult for farmers to make a profit Jerks

Farmers Organize to Fight Back ! The Grange ( s) Goals: education about new farming techniques; fighting the new railroad rates Why would farmers organize?

Farmers Organize to Fight Back! Farmers’ Alliances Groups of farmers that continue to push for reform (change) “There are three great crops raised in Nebraska. One is the crop of corn, one a crop of freight rates and one a crop of interest. One is produced by farmers who sweat and toil to farm the land. The other is produced by men who sit in their offices and farm the farmers” – Farmers’ Alliance 1890.

The Government Helps... Sort of  Interstate Commerce Commission  set up by government to regulate railroads What French word describes how the government usually dealt with business? (“Hands off”)

Farmers feel like the two major American political parties aren’t representing their interests, so they form their own!

The Populist (People’s) Party - A political party formed by the Farmers’ Alliances to help farmers solve their problems Original Members of the Populist Party July 1892 Over 800 delegates from 69 Nebraska Counties met

The People’s Party Farmers see the need to unify under a single party Omaha Platform –Political Change Direct election of senators Secret ballot Initiatives and Referendums –Economic Change Bimetallism Govt Control of RR’s, Telegraph and Telephone companies Graduated Income Tax 8 Hour Workday -

The Omaha Platform The platform (goals) of the Populist Party The Omaha Platform The platform (goals) of the Populist Party Use Silver to back money instead of Gold There was more silver than gold If the government used silver to create money there would be more money This would lead to higher prices which would help farmers

Omaha Platform Government ownership of railroad companies Railroad owners couldn’t overcharge the farmers and prices would go down

Omaha Platform Government Regulation of Banks Banks couldn’t unfairly charge VERY high interest rates to farmers!

Omaha Platform Graduated Income Tax The more you make the more you pay!

The Election of 1896 William Jennings Bryan (Democrat) “Cross of Gold” speech attacks those who oppose coining silver (goldbugs) Populists decide to support him Campaigns directly to the people, touring the country “You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold” – Cross of Gold Speech by William Jennings Bryan 1896

Pairs: Cross of Gold Speech Analysis After reading the Cross of Gold Speech with your partner, be prepared to answer the following questions: 1) How does Bryan attempt to capitalize on the Republican’s idea of an international agreement on currency standards as the appropriate solution to the problem of the gold standard? 2) Does Bryan seem content to commit himself to a campaign that would divide urban and rural voters? 3) What features of the speech do you think made it such a rousing success?

Cross of Gold Speech In hopes of getting into the white house, Populist joined sided with the Democrats and chose William Jennings Bryan as their candidate in the 96’ election Made a famous “Cross of Gold Speech” in which he showed his disdain for the gold standard. “Having behind us the producing masses of this nations and the world, supported by the commercial interests, the laboring interests, and the toiling everywhere, we will answer the demand for the 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.” -Democratic National Convention speech, Chicago, July 8, 1896

Election of 1896 William McKinley (Republican) Party campaigns for him; raise a lot of money –McKinley has $15 million (30 times what Bryan has!!) McKinley wins election In what was does McKinley represent the “old ways” of politics?

Maybe the outcome could have been different! Your Assignment: Create a campaign poster for William Jennings Bryan

Creating a Campaign Flyer! Your Audience: Midwestern Farmers- Convince them to vote for your candidate William Jennings Bryan Information: – You must specifically refer to one issue on the Populist Party’s platform (The issue will be assigned to you) – Your flyer should reflect your understanding of this issue – specifically say why this issue is important and why people should vote for the Populists to end their suffering Required: – Catchy Slogan (something specific to the topic you are assigned) – William Jennings Bryan’s name – Illustration that is related to your specific topic

The End of Populism Proved candidates should campaign directly to the people Successes direct election of Senators (17 th amendment) -railroad regulation (ICC) -Graduated Income Tax (16 th amendment) Failures Unable to win a presidential election No long term silver coinage Party dies by 1897 & Most Populist voters return to the Democratic Party.

3 Minute Pause!! 1 Minute: Answer the “you tell me question” on your paper 1 Minute: Find an elbow partner. Share your answer with your partner. 1 Minute: Share your pairs’ answers with the class

What are some characteristics of Campaign Posters?

3-2-1 Assessment *You may use your notes from today. 3 Problems farmers faced in the late 1800s 2 ways farmers were successful 1 reason why the Populists/farmers were unsuccessful (1 failure)