Which Party are You? 1.Read the political party platforms (highlighting and underlining parts that are important to your assigned role.) 2.Using the paper provided at your table, create a chart with for or against using blue ink for things from the Democratic Platform and red ink for things from the Republican Platform 3.decide which platform if either of them best represents your views 4.Support your ideas with parts of the platforms. 5.Be prepared to report to the class

Fill in the chart in your notes RepublicanDemocrat Those not represented at all:

Money Supply  Late 1800s US experienced deflation  Money worth a lot  Not much money in circulation  Farmers wanted more money put in circulation  Price of farm goods was falling due to overproduction (machines)

Price Indexes for Consumer & Farm Products:

Railroads  Railroads had a monopoly in transportation  Charged farmers high shipping and storage rates

On a diagram like the one below, list the problems farmers faced during the Gilded Age Problems faced by farmers Populism: An Agrarian Revolt

Founder of the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry (1867) multimedia/lesson51/explore/l51_t01_xp1.htm

The Grange Movement  First organized in 1873 in the Midwest, the south, and Texas.  Set up cooperative associations.  Social and educational components.  Succeeded in lobbying for “Granger Laws.”  State laws set maximum railroad rates (declared unconstitutional)  Rapidly declined by the late 1870s.

The Populist (Peoples’) Party  Founded by James B. Weaver and Tom Watson.  Omaha, NE Convention in July,  Got almost 1 million popular votes.  Several Congressional seats won. James B. Weaver, Presidential Candidate & James G. Field, VP

Populist Goals  Federal ownership of railroads  End of tariffs and the national bank  Direct election of Senators  Graduated Income Tax

Bi-metallism Issue  Country printed money based on the Gold Standard  Populist supported Bimetallism (free coinage of silver)  Money based on Gold and Silver  Put more money in circulation

Goldbugs Silverites Bimetallism Who they were?Bankers and Businessmen Farmers and Laborers What they wanted?Gold Standard “Tight Money” (Less money in circulation) Bimetallism “Cheap Money” (More money in circulation” Why?Loans would be repaid in stable money Products would be sold at higher prices Effects?Deflation  Prices fall  Value of $ increase  Fewer people have $ Inflation  Prices rise  Value of $ decreases  More people have $

Would your group role have supported the Populists?

 Goldbugs vs Silverites  Republicans – William McKinley- Goldbug  Democrats – William Jennings Bryan – Silverite  Populist – decide to support Bryan instead of running another silver candidate

Gold / Silver Bug Campaign Pins

William Jennings Bryan ( ) The “Great Commoner ”  Famous Cross of Gold Speech – “ You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this cross of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold”  Supported an 8 hour workday for factory workers

Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech 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 Party Taken Over by the Agrarian Left Platform  tariff reductions; income tax; stricter control of the trusts (esp. RRs); free silver.

William McKinley ( )  Waged a front porch campaign  Stressed that the free coinage of silver would lead to massive unemployment

The Seasoned Politician vs. The “Young” Newcomer The Seasoned Politician vs. The “Young” Newcomer

1896 Election Results

Outcome of the Election  Bryan wins the farming states of the Midwest but gains no support from the east  McKinley wins thanks to eastern support  Populism dies with Bryan’s loss

Why Did Bryan Lose?  His focus on silver undermined efforts to build bridges to urban voters.  He did not form alliances with other groups.  McKinley’s campaign was well- organized and highly funded.

Gold Triumphs Over Silver  1900  Gold Standard Act  confirmed the nation’s commitment to the gold standard.  A victory for the forces of conservatism.

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

1964: Henry Littlefield’s “Thesis”?

“Parable of the Populists”?  Tornado  ?  Dorothy  ?  Toto  ?  Kansas  ?  Wicked Witch of the East  ?  Tin Woodsman  ?  Scarecrow  ?  Cowardly Lion  ?  Yellow Brick Road  ?  Silver Slippers  ?  Emerald City  ?  Oz  ?  The Wizard  ?  Munchkins  ?  Wicked Witch of the West  ?

Why Did Populism Decline? 1. The economy experienced rapid change. 2. The era of small producers and farmers was fading away. 3. Race divided the Populist Party, especially in the South. 4. The Populists were not able to break existing party loyalties. 5. Most of their agenda was co-opted by the Democratic Party.

Legacy of Populism  Ideas do eventually get passed  8 hour work day  Graduated income tax  Regulation of Railroads  Country does abandon the gold standard  Direct Election of Senators