1. Period 3 & 7
We will examine the settlement of the West and the conflict that developed between farmers and the railroad.
Elections 1880, 1884, 1888, 1892
Chapter 26 Notes
Allegory
Dark Side of the Moon

6. Chapter 26 continued Safety Valve Theory
If the population got to large on the East Coast due to immigration, move west.
Solve the problem of unemployment because one could always move west
Homestead Act gave away 160 acres of land. Land was usually dry and not great for farming

9. Deflation
Due to dry conditions farmers in west grew single crop (wheat or corn)
Deflation (decrease in price) hurt farmers, many lost farms
Farmers were also at mercy of railroads. Railroads overcharged farmers to take their goods to market.

10. Organizing Farmers
The Grange attempted to organize, educate, and help farmers
The Farmers Alliance attempted to collectivize their buying and selling to gain upper hand over railroad
Alliance leads to Populist Party
Wanted government control of railroads, telephone, and telegraph
Establish a graduated income tax
Free unlimited coinage of silver

12. Pullman Strike The American Railway Union is organized
1894 Pullman’s Palace Car Company cut wages
Workers went on strike and the US Army was called to break up strike

13. Election of 1896
William McKinley believed in the gold standard (money backed by gold) and trickle down theory (workers do better when business makes money)
William Jennings Bryan believed in unlimited coinage of silver. Gained support of Populist Party