1. Populism
What is it?
Why?
Impact?

2. The Farmers Protest The GRANGE == similar to a labor union for farmers
--called for control of prices >>>railroads
--pressured gov’t to regulate business farmers needed

3. Farmer’s Alliance Unions of farmers protested against monopolies
regulation of railroads
more money in circulation (inflation)
creation of state Dept. of Agriculture
antitrust laws == no monopolies
farm credit to purchase manufactured goods

4. POPULISTS Known as the People’s Party Called for inflation
Progressive income tax >>> percentage of tax based on income
Gov’t ownership of country’s communication & transportation systems
8 hr workday

5. Both black & white farmers urged to join
Tried to run William Jennings Bryan for Pres. of US
--lost in numerous attempts
Populism died out with the increasing urbanization of US

6. The Wizard of Oz

7. Foundations of Populism
Farmer’s Alliance (1870s)
Goal:
Wanted gov’t to print more money
Farmers believed they could charge more if more money was in circulation
Result:
Led to the organization of the Populist Party
National Grange
Goal:
Regulate railroad rates
Result:
Interstate Commerce Act (reasonable rates)
*1st time federal gov’t passed a law to regulate industry

8. Populist Party Aka: People’s Party Goal: Result:
Alliance of farmers, labor leaders, reformers
Goal:
Bank regulation, gov’t ownership of railroads, unlimited silver coinage
Result:
Candidate lost in 1896 election
Issues faded as they were resolved

9. Background
After the Gilded Age (economic prosperity)  farmers experienced economic downturns.
Farmers wanted gov’t ownership of railroads and other industries
They were losing land to railroads & banks
Economic problems were blamed Pres. Cleveland’s switch from a gold & silver to a gold standard for currency

10. Populist Movement
The Populist movement was born of the farmers frustrations and their attempt to gain political change through politics
In 1892 the Populist party was formed and ran a candidate for President, with the following key elements of their platform:
A return to the gold and silver standard
Government ownership of the railroads

11. William Jennings Bryan
1896 Presidential Election
William McKinley vs. William Jennings Bryan
Bryan – Populist candidate in 1896
“You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” - Bryan

12. Frank L. Baum Author of the Wizard of Oz
Moved to and lived in the Midwest during the late 1800s and saw first hand some of the conditions that the Populist Party was trying to deal with.

13. The Characters Dorothy Wicked Witch of the East Ruby (Silver) Slippers
Yellow Brick Road
Emerald City
The Scarecrow
The Tin Man
The Lion
Wicked Witch of the West
Flying Monkeys
The Wizard
Glinda (the good witch)
Toto
Getting Home

14. Dorothy Represented America--honest and plucky, kindhearted
She is lost and trying to find her way home

15. Wicked Witch of the East

16. Wicked Witch of the East
Represents Eastern Bankers
Shows what will happen to them if they continue foreclosures

17. Ruby (Silver) Slippers
Taken from the WWE
Represent the silver standard issue

18. Yellow Brick Road Gold Standard

19. Emerald City Washington D. C
Emerald City Washington D.C. – Where all of the problems are supposed to be solved

20. The Scarecrow
Represents the American farmer--thinks he lacks brains, but in the book he's quite shrewd and helps the journey to D.C.

21. The Tin Man
Represents the alienated working class. Once he was all flesh and blood, now they are just machines in an industrial age.

22. The Lion

23. The Cowardly Lion Courage (Baum himself)
OR William Jennings Bryan (1886 Pres. Candidate vs. McKinley) – “Cross of Gold” speech

24. Wicked Witch of the West

25. The Wicked Witch of the West
Represent s the other opponent of the farmers – nature.
Killed by water = irony

26. Flying Monkeys

27. Flying Monkeys
Represent the plains Indians who continued to swoop down and harass the Midwest

28. The Wizard
Probably Pres. Cleveland, hated for taking away the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Behind curtain pulling levers--machine politics controlling things. Only provides the heroes with symbolic rewards.

29. Glinda (The Good Witch)

30. Glinda Represents the Southern Populists
The answer is there all the time – realization of the importance of silver will show the farmers, and America, the way home

31. Toto Prohibition Party (also called the “Tea Totalers”) a nickname: TOTO

32. Getting Home To get home, all you had to do was click the ruby (silver) slippers on the Yellow Brick Road (gold & silver standard) to get home

33. Reading
We’re going to read an article to find out what Oz & the Munchkins represent.
As you read, consider whether various groups (see next pg) would be for (in favor of) or against the Populist Party
Make a chart on the back of your notes (see example)

34. Chart Point of View For or Against Populist Party
Reasoning (justification)
Farmer
Banker
Railroad Owner
Democrat