1. The Bourbon Triumvirate & The Democrats Vs. Tom Watson & The Populists
GSE SS8H7

2. The Bourbon Triumvirate
The Bourbon Triumvirate was a group of three politicians (Joseph E. Brown, Alfred H. Colquitt, and John B. Gordon) who controlled Georgia politics for over two decades. These three Democrats, who all played important roles in the during the Civil War, each acted as governors and U.S. Senators between the 1870s and 1890s.
The Bourbon Triumvirate wanted to develop mining and railroad industry, moving the South (ever so slightly) away from being dependent on agriculture. They supported members of the old antebellum planter class, and they and established low taxes which resulted in few government services.
In addition, all three of the men were white supremacists and former secessionists who supported and took advantage of the convict lease system (the system of hiring, without pay, convicts to business owners who in turn would provide shelter and food for the convicts).
Joseph E. Brown
Positions held: General Assembly, state judge, governor (during the war), GA Supreme Court justice, US Senator
Secessionist
John B. Gordon
Positions: Confederate Army, US Senator, governor
Opposed Reconstruction
thought to be local leader of KKK
Alfred Colquitt
Positions: US Representative, General Assembly, Secession convention, Confederate army, governor, US senator
Secessionist

3. Tom Watson & The Populists
Neither Republicans or Democrats were interested in helping poor farmers. The Farmers’ Alliance members established their own political party called the People’s Party, or later called the Populist Party. It was popular in Georgia between the early 1880s – early 1920s.
Populism is a political idea that supports the concerns of ordinary people while pushing for reform and change. Among the issues the Populists supported were banking reform and government ownership (rather than private companies) of railroads. The Populists also supported issues that appealed to farmers, such as lower tariffs.
In Georgia, Tom Watson led the Populist Party. Under his leadership, the Populist Party became very powerful in the state—so much that even powerful Democrats felt threatened by Watson and his supporters.
Thomas Watson
Elected to General Assembly in 1882
Supported the end of the convict lease system and free public education for all Georgians
Elected to Congress in 1890
Wanted lower taxes for poor farmers
Helped pass the Rural Delivery Act, which helped get mail delivered directly to rural farmers)
Ran for vice president and president as a Populist (he didn’t win)
Started his career on more equality: he supported poor black farmers
Later in life shifted and became a white supremacist, writing a very prejudiced magazine called The Jeffersonian
Ran for US Senate, and won, one last time in Died in 1922.

4. Democrats vs. Populists
Time Period of power:
Main beliefs of the party:
Leaders:
Triumvirates’ similarities:
Time Period of power:
Main beliefs of the party:
Leader in Georgia:
Important accomplishments:
Vs.

5. Comparing the two Parties
What is one MAJOR difference between the Populist Party and the Democratic Party?
Identify each party’s platform and supporters below. Which people would have supported which Party? Write P for Populist and D for Democrat.
What is one similarity between the Populist Party and the Democratic Party?
Which political party do you think was better for Georgia after Reconstruction? EXPLAIN.
___Wealthy plantation owner ___Owner of a railroad company ___someone who wants lower taxes for plantation owners
___Poor farmer ___Business owner who uses convicts for labor ___someone who wants lower taxes for poor farmers
___African Americans ___Ending convict lease system ___ Former Confederacy supporters
___ Bank reformers ___ supported industry and manufacturing ___ Mining company owner

6. Democrats vs. Populists
Time Period of Popularity:
Main beliefs of the party:
Leaders:
Triumvirates’ similarities:
Time Period of Popularity:
Main beliefs of the party:
Leader in Georgia:
Important accomplishments:
1870s-1890s
1880s-1920
-Developing industry like mining and railroads
-low taxes
-convict lease system
-helping poor farmers
-bank reform
-government ownership of railroads
-low tariffs for farmers
Vs.
Joseph E. Brown
Alfred Colquitt
John B. Gordon
Tom Watson
Rural Free Delivery Act
-Secessionists
-Supporters of the confederacy
-Democrats
-US Senators
-GA Governors

7. Comparing the two Parties
What is one MAJOR difference between the Populist Party and the Democratic Party?
Identify each party’s platform and supporters below. Which people would have supported which Party? Write P for Populist and D for Democrat.
What is one similarity between the Populist Party and the Democratic Party?
Which political party do you think was better for Georgia after Reconstruction? EXPLAIN.
Multiple correct answers: The Bourbon Democrats focused on wealthy plantation owners and business men, while the Populists focused on poor and “common” people.
Bourbons were white supremacists while Watson supported African Americans (early on in his career). D D
___Wealthy plantation owner ___Owner of a railroad company ___someone who wants lower taxes for plantation owners
___Poor farmer ___Business owner who uses convicts for labor ___someone who wants lower taxes for poor farmers
___African Americans ___Ending convict lease system ___ Former Confederacy supporters
___ Bank reformers ___ supported industry and manufacturing ___ Mining company owner D P D P P P D P D D
Multiple correct answers: Technically, they both supported farmers. Democrats had wealthy landowners in mind, while the Populists had poor farmers in mind. At the end of his career, Watson became a white supremacist, which would make him similar to the Bourbon Triumvirate. They both believed in lower tariffs for farmers.
Answers will vary. Students must explain.