1. Farmers & the Populist Movement
Late 1800s

2. As the railroads begin stretching westward, farmers & other settlers follow.

3. Farmers Face Problems in late 1800s
Cycle of Debt
1) Railroads charged high
prices to transport goods
3) Mortgaged farms
to buy more land
2) Prices for crops
were low

4. Farmers are “swimming” in debt

5. Notice the growth of railroads over a 20 year period
Notice the growth of railroads over a 20 year period. Farmers in the West still have limited choices for shipping their products back East. They have to pay the prices charged by the railroads or end up not being able to ship their goods.

6. Farmers Deal w/Problems
The Grange –created in 1867
originally to provide a social outlet & an educational forum for isolated farm families
1870s – engaged in battle against railroads
Taught members:
How to organize
How to set up farmers’ cooperatives
How to sponsor state legislation to regulate railroads

7. Farmers Deal w/Problems
Farmers’ Alliances
Grew out of the Grange movement
Included farmers & others who sympathized
Membership grew to more than 4 million
Led to the foundation of a political party

8. Populism “People’s Party” founded in 1892
Give people a greater voice in their gov’t.
Populist Platform was very popular for farmers and laborers
Eventually became the platform of the Democratic Party
Key Concept – “gov’t is responsible for reforming social injustices”

9. Populist Platform Economic reforms Other reforms Governmental reforms
 in Money supply
Graduated income tax
Federal loan program
Other reforms
8-hour workday
Restrictions on
immigration
Governmental reforms
Election of US Senators by Popular vote
Single terms for President/ Vice President
Secret ballot to end voter fraud

10. Mary Elizabeth Lease Famous lecturer & leader of Populism
Worked hard to show women could be a part of the political arena
“Raise less corn & more hell”

11. Panic of 1893 Economy dipped into a depression
Govt/Business Investment declined
Consumer purchases, wages, prices =
Dec – 1/5 workforce unemployed
Caused a deep division politically:
Business owners/bankers of Northeast
vs.
Farmers/Laborers of South/West

12. Monetary Dispute
Key campaign issue in 1896
People regarded paper money as worthless if it could not be turned in for gold or silver
Deflation vs. Inflation Argument

13. Monetary System Dispute
“Gold Bugs” vs “Silverites”

14. Characteristics of Debate
Gold Bugs
Silverites
Who They Were
Bankers & businessmen
Farmers & laborers
What They Wanted
Gold standard
Less money in circulation
Bimetallism
More money in circulation
Why
Loans would be repaid in stable money
Products would be sold at higher prices
Effects
Deflation
Inflation

15. Cross of Gold Speech William Jennings Bryan
Democratic & Populist Nominee for President
Supported combined gold and silver standard
“you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold”
Gained 6.5 million votes but lost the election
Brought end to Populist Party

16. Legacy of Populism Downtrodden could organize & have political impact
Agenda of reforms that would be enacted in the 20th century
The Independent People's Party (Populist) Convention at Columbus, Nebraska,
where Omer Kem was nominated for Congress, July 15, 1890, photo by Solomon D. Butcher.
Source - NSHS, RGRG2608.PH:

17. Activity –
Directions: Utilize your notes from the PowerPoint & Chapter 5 from your textbook
to complete the following activity.
Identify the causes of the rise of the Populist Party and the effects the party had.
Combine the cause & effects from #1 into a graphic organizer.
In a paragraph, explain which effect has the most impact today?

18. References
Danzer, G.,et.al, The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century. Evanston: McDougal Littell.
NebraskaStudies.org “The Populists”
1896: Mary Elizabeth Lease