1. Farmer’s Problems -weather problems -falling prices -increasing debt -dependant upon railroads -need for cheaper money deflation and inflation

2. Railroad Abuses -construction graft – using authority for political gain -bribes -stock watering- used in order to increase the weight of cows. Forced a cow to bloat itself with water before it was weighed for sale. -unfair pricing long haul short haul -use of rebates for large customers

3. The Grange -also called the Patrons of Husbandry -began as social group that evolved into a political group -called for regulation of railroads -“Granger Laws”- mid-western state laws that regulated railroad abuses Granger laws ruled unconstitutional in Wabash v. Illinois, 1887 -ICC- Interstate Commerce Act -Federal law that regulates commerce -Grangers pushed for currency reform

4. Populism -took the place of the Grange -strong mid-west support -reform based party -Omaha Platform, 1892 increase $ supply income tax secret ballots 8 hour workday Immigration control

5. Free Silver Crusade -Panic of 1893 -nation enters a recession -many people promote silver and gold standard for currency -would create larger money supply -”greenbacks” issued based on silver and gold bullion reserves -Gold standard only would limit money supply as gold reserves were limited

6. End of the Populists -1896 election -William McKinley- Republican Gold Standard – gold only currency -William Jennings Bryan -Democrat./Populist Free Silver “Cross of Gold Speech” (silver and gold should be equal) -McKinley wins election -Populism dies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H eTkT5-w5RA