1. Ch. 18- 4 Notes Mrs. Manley

2. Farmers in Protest Farmers begin to join together in groups and associations to fight their problems Biggest problem- crops flooded the market (too much supply) with little demand--- low prices Expenses are rising! ex)transportation, seed, equipment, etc.

3. Farm problem Farmers blamed problems on: – Railroad companies (high prices) – Eastern Manufacturers (high prices) – Bankers- high interest rates on loans Farmers borrow $- seed, equipment & other goods After crops sold at low prices- not enough $ to repay loans = farm foreclosure! (lose farm)

4. Farmers Organize National Grange- 1 st farmers org.; self-help cooperative. – Offers education – Social gatherings – Cash-only cooperatives – buy at lower prices – Tried to limit RR rates – These cooperatives FAILED! (no $!) – Sets up next group- Farmer’s Alliances

5. Farmers Alliances FA’s- networks of org. of farmers; educate, cooperatives- stores where farmers buy from each other. Propose a plan to limit crops in market by govt. storing surplus which could be sold to repay loans Fall apart….

6. Populist Party PEOPLE’S PARTY! Farmer’s Alliances join the P.Party Populist goals- help the common good! Populist goals: – Govt. owns RR – Free silver- unlimited production of silver $ – Election reform, term limits, secret ballots – Shorter work week; national income tax

7. Election of 1896 Cleveland- opposes free silver William Jennings Bryan- Great Commoner- like free silver William McKinley- opposes free silver **WINS** Populists didn’t totally lose! They were able to get: – abandon the gold standard – 8 hr. work day – income tax – election reforms (secret ballot & direct election of senators