1. Populist Movement Notes Video: “The Wizard of Oz”  Real Meaning?
Homework: Guided Reading 13.3

2. Setting the Stage
With the rich getting richer on the backs of the working class in both the industrialized east and the farmlands of the west, it was inevitable that some form of organization was needed to protect against oppression. The Western farmers would attempt this by using their great numbers.

3. Farmers Problems common problems in south and west - declining prices
- high interest rates
- high debt

4. Farmers Organize
chief villains = RRs [overcharge] and banks [high interest rates]
1867: National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry
-secret societies (local chapters w/ passwords and rituals)
-politics and economics main topics
lobbied state gov’t for regulation
- Granger Laws, estab’d maximum shipping rates
pooled resources to buy jointly shared farming necessities
alliances entered political arena
- won seats in state gov’t  voice for the farmers

5. Creating Inflation farmers’ common problem = debt
attack nation's monetary system
1873: Congress declared all federal $ must be backed by gold
- limited money supply and benefited the wealthy
farmers wanted inflation to challenge policy AND pay off debt

6. Creating Inflation
idea #1  print greenback dollars NOT backed by gold
- created Greenback Party
idea # 2  bimetallism
- print $ backed by gold AND silver
- 1 lb. of silver = 1 oz. of gold
- popular because people confident in $ backed by something of value

8. Birth of the Populists Populist Party reforms: free coinage of silver
graduated income tax = wealthier pay higher % in taxes
constitutional amendment for direct election of Senators
initiative: citizens directly introduce topic to be debated by gov’t
referendum: allow citizens to vote on a bill
recall: people end elected official's term before it expired

9. Birth of the Populists 1892: Populists ran James Weaver for President
- did not win
- over million pop votes and 22 electoral votes [4 states]
result: 3rd parties ACTUALLY play a role
- ideas discussed at national level
Panic of 1893: increased # of unemployed gave momentum

10. Election of 1892

11. Election of 1896
William Jennings Bryan “the Great Commoner" (Democrat)
great orator (speaking skills)
defender of the farmer
supported by Democratic voters of South and West
“Cross of Gold” speech demanded free coinage of silver
"You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!"
received Democratic nomination AND Populist Party nomination
revolutionized campaigning
- nationwide circuit  twenty to thirty speeches per day

13. Election of 1896 William McKinley (Republican )
support by wealthy eastern establishment
Marc Hanna (wealthy industrialist from Cleveland) wanted McKinley elected
- free coinage of silver would ruin America
ran campaign based on fear WJB victory . McKinley campaigned from his home, leaving the politicking for the party hacks. Bryan.
McKinley beat Bryan by an electoral vote margin of 271 to 176

14. Election of 1896

15. Election of 1896 McKinley wins! factors leading WJB’s defeat
won 0 Northeast states
laborers feared increased prices / lagging wages
urban (cities) vs. rural (country)
economy of 1896 on the upswing
Populist Party fell apart
graduated income tax, direct election of senators, initiative, referendum, recall, and the secret ballot all later enacted