1. The Grange Attempt by farmers to organize
Est. cooperatives that benefited farmers
Encouraged farmers to vote as a bloc
African-American farmers formed their own coalitions

2. Populism Originated on the Plains & farms
Attempted to appeal to the common people of the 1890s
What former political leaders come to mind?

3. Platform of the Populists
Believed gov’t should run RRs & telegraphs
Private companies were exploiting common man
Wanted to replace the gold standard
Kept prices down
Hurt Farmers
Benefited Bankers/Lenders
Supported “free silver”
Divided over role of African-Americans

4. The Populists

5. The Election of 1896 The Democrats The Republicans
William Jennings Bryan
Great Commoner
Populists
Free Silver
William McKinley (OH)
Favored by tycoons
John Rockefeller
JP Morgan
Andrew Carnegie
Gold Standard

6. William Jennings Bryan
The Election of 1896
William Jennings Bryan
William McKinley

7. The Cross of Gold Speech
If they dare to come out in the open field and defend the gold standard as a good thing, we shall fight them to the uttermost, having behind us the producing masses of the nation and the world. Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. --William Jennings Bryan

8. The Election of 1896