1. FARMERS, REFORM, AND WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN Populism

2. Farmers Have Problems  Overproduction- large harvests cause prices to go down (Wheat from $2.95 to $1.06) Farmers can’t afford to pay off homes and machinery Insect and pest problems destroy crops Railroads are charging high rates and discriminating against small farmers

3. Grange Organizations Farmers form local organizations to provide support to eachother Worked to keep farmers connected, provided education, and eventually push for government reform Panic of 1873 causes huge burst in membership Set up stores, warehouses, and provided relief

4. Grange to Populism

5. The Government React State governments pass “Granger Laws” which help regulate railroads and their rates Supreme Court upholds these laws in Munn v. Illinois but rules granger laws unconstitutional in Wabash v. Illinois (1886) Federal Government creates the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate railroads in 1887- very weak and ineffective

6. The People’s Party (Populists) Farmers’ Alliances came together to form the People’s Party in 1892 (known as Populists) James Weaver was the first Populist nominee for president (8.5% of vote) Elected 5 Senators, 10 Representatives, and 3 Governors Populism gains steam with Panic of 1893

7. Mary Lease- “raise less corn and more hell!”

8. Populist Platform currency backed by gold AND silver (or just legal tender) Federal protection and subsidies for farmers, government warehouses Regulation of industry and railroads wanted to put and end to political corruption No national banks Direct election of Senators and graduated income tax

9. Coxey’s Army In 1894 Jacob Coxey led 500 followers from Massillon, OH to Washington, D.C. to push for legal tender and a public works program Was convicted for walking on the grass Named his son Legal Tender Coxey

10. Jacob and Little Legal Tender

11. The Money Question What should form the basis for the dollar? In 1873 the government took out silver as a basis for the currency (used to be 16:1)- the Crime of 73 “free silver” v. “gold standard” William Jennings Bryan v. William McKinley in the Election of 1896

12. William Jennings Bryan “The Great Commoner”- one of the greatest speakers in American History Adopted free silver issue and much of Populist platform (leads to fusion) Gave famous “Cross of Gold” speech Gave birth to modern campaigning

13. Bryan Poster

14. McKinley Wins McKinley wins 271 to 176 Passes the Currency Act and recommits the US to the Gold Standard Big on Imperialism Raised Tariff Assassinated by Leon Czolgosz in 1901

15. Assassination