1. WARM-UP How did new technology affect the farmers? New technology saved farmers time and effort and resulted in an increase in farm production

2. POPULIST PARTY

3. FARMERS COMPLAINTS A major complaint was high tariffs: good for industry but always hurt the farmers Raised the prices of manufactured goods, i.e. farm machinery Kept foreigners from earning currency to buy American crops Farmers favored low tariffs

4. Farmers Alliances called for putting more money into circulation Wanted money supply to be based on gold and silver so there would be increased money supply Western farmers wanted free silver because they felt it would increase crop prices Many farmers found themselves supporting the Populist Party

5. POPULIST’S PLATFORM Demanded radical changes in federal economic and social policies Increased circulation of money Unlimited minting of silver Progressive income tax Government ownership of communications & transportation Supported an 8 hour work day (to get labor support from industry) Supported a united front for African American and white farmers

6. POPULISTS Third party that could easily affect the election William Jennings Bryan lost the election, could not get support from North and East industry Many of the reforms sought by populists later found their way into the other two parties platforms Many of Populist’s ideas would later be the foundation for the major reforms of the Progressive era.

8. ACTIVITY: Populist Party documents