1. The Wizard of OZ and Populism

2. Many believe the story is an allegory for the Populist movement
Many believe the story is an allegory for the Populist movement. That is, each character from the book/movie represents someone or something from history.

3. Dorothy
Represents the hopes and dreams of the Populist Party

4. Witch of the East
Represents Industrialist and Bankers in the Atlantic States who are rich are foreclosing on farms.

5. Wicked Witch of the West
Represents the power shift from Industrialists and bankers of the Atlantic states to Railroad and owners and corporations of the Great Lakes states. Railroads begin buying up land including foreclosed farms.

6. Scarecrow
Midwest farmers
No brain, unorganized

7. Tin Woodsman Less than human industrial worker
Does the same task over and over. Becomes somewhat robotic.
Needs to be human again (HEART)

8. Lion William Jennings Bryan
Represents the Populist party as a Democrat and farmers
Needs courage. Bryan was an excellent speaker and LOUD!!!

9. Yellow Brick Road
Represents the gold standard, which all money is backed by.
This hurt farmers because their debt was so great.

10. Wizard
Presidents of the Gilded Age.

11. Munchkins
The Common Workers

12. Uncle Henry and Aunt Em
Struggling old Farmers who need the populist party

13. OZ
Washington D.C.

14. Flying Monkeys Native Americans of the West who have been displaced.
Immigrants who will work for less money

15. Scarecrow, Tin Man, Dorothy and the Lion marching to OZ
Coxey’s army marching to Washington D.C.

16. Ruby Red Slippers They were silver in the book.
Populist party idea the unlimited coinage of silver would help farmers in debt.

17. Kansas
One of the few states that supported the Populist party

18. The Wizard behind the curtain
Candidates didn’t campaign among the people so they were unknown and sometimes scary

19. Witch of the West killed by water
Drought hurt the farmers but they were empowered by good crops which allowed them to pay their mortgages and debts

20. What good were the Populists?
Influenced Congress
Responsible for the 16th and 17th amendments being considered and eventually adopted.