1. Word of the Day: Warm Up:
Why would Progressives be against the idea of Social Darwinism?
Word of the Day:
Populist Party (Populism) A new nations political party (third party) representing the “Common Man”- farmers, industrial workers, and miners- in the battle against banking and railroad interests

2. The Progressive Era The Populist Party
Essential question- how did farmers respond to the problems they face in the late 19th century?

3. Agricultural Overproduction Periodic Natural Disasters
Farmer Problems
Problem
Explanation
Agricultural Overproduction
 : food prices fall
High Costs
 : railroad companies charged outrageous prices to ship crops
Debt
 : Famers borrowed money and went further into debt- high interest rates
Periodic Natural Disasters
 : One bad year could wipe out a crop and the family’s savings.
Which one of the problems is the worst? Create a postage stamp drawing for that problem.

4. Mortgaged Home
To buy land
Wheat Prices
Fall
Produce
More Wheat
Lower
Wheat Prices
More Debt
Can’t pay off
Loans

5. From 1867 to 1887, a bushel of wheat fell from $2. 00 a bushel to $0
*From 1867 to 1887, a bushel of wheat fell from $2.00 a bushel to $0.62 a bushel

6. Who did they blame for their problems?
THE GRANGE MOVEMENT
Who:
Farmers
Purpose:
A social club for farmers to help them overcome rural isolation and spread information about new farming techniques
Who did they blame for their problems?
THE RAILROADS
Why would this social club be important for farmers?

7. THE GRANGE MOVEMENT- SUCCESSES
The Grange Successes
Munn v. Illinois (1877)
Supreme Court rules the right of the state to regulate businesse that affected public interest
Interstate Commerce Act
Prohibts railroads from charging more for short hauls than for long hauls
Interstate Commerce Commission
Created to investigate complaints and to enforce acts.
Marks a change from the “laissez-faire” economy of the past

8. Populists Party Platform
In 1892 the farmers gave their support to the Populist Party, a new national political party representing the “common man”- farmers, industrial workers, and miners- in the battle against railroad interests.
Populists Party Platform
The people have more power
Ending oppression and Injustice
Government should take a larger role
Term Limits for the President
Government Ownership of railroads, telegraphs, and telephones
Immigration restrictions
4. Unlimited Coinage of silver- to raise prices and make loan repayment easier
5. Graduate income tax
6. Shorter Work Day- 8 hours
7. Direct Election of Senators
8. Secret Ballot- to protect voters from intimidation

9. ELECTION CAMPAIGNS 1896 1892 1900 Democrat- Grover Cleveland
Republican- Benjamin Harrison
Populist- James Weaver
Populists were able to get 5 Senator elected and over 1 million votes for their Presidential Candidate.
Republican- William McKinley
Democrat/Populist- William Jennings Bryan (Join together)
Populists supported William Jennings Bryan after he praised farmers and criticized bankers in his Cross of Gold Speech.
Republican- William McKinley
Democrat/Populist- William Jennings Bryan (Join together)
When McKinley won a second time, this virtually brought an end to the Populist Party.

10. 1892 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: POPULIST CANDIDATE WON OVER A MILLION VOTES!

11. 1896 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: BRYAN LOSES BUT CARRIES MOST OF THE SOUTH AND WEST

12. THIRD PARTIES
Third parties often have an impact on the political process. They provide an outlet for minorities to voice grievances and generate new ideas.
Turn and Talk:
The Populist Party was a third party that didn’t last…. What happened to their concerns?
Can you list examples of other American Third Parties?