2. Populism US History: Spiconardi

3. Populism: The Grange Causes Causes Prices of Agricultural products drop Prices of Agricultural products drop New technology makes it cheaper New technology makes it cheaper Greenbacks vs. Gold/Silver Greenbacks vs. Gold/Silver Inflation and Deflation Inflation and Deflation Inflation  decline in money value Inflation  decline in money value Deflation  increase in money value and decrease in general prices Deflation  increase in money value and decrease in general prices

4. Populism: The Grange Members included farmers facing the hardships of rural life Members included farmers facing the hardships of rural life Poor economic conditions due to the railroad companies control of shipping farmer’s crops Poor economic conditions due to the railroad companies control of shipping farmer’s crops Spent more money on shipping than they made in income Spent more money on shipping than they made in income Had to take out loans from banks Had to take out loans from banks

5. Populism: The Grange This movement leads to railroad regulation (Munn v. Illinois) This movement leads to railroad regulation (Munn v. Illinois) Railroad rates for transporting grain could be regulated, so farmers were not “ripped off” Railroad rates for transporting grain could be regulated, so farmers were not “ripped off” Railroads respond by Railroads respond by cutting back on shipping services cutting back on shipping services Refusing to build more tracks until regulations lifted Refusing to build more tracks until regulations lifted

6. Populists A political party formed by farmers originally in hopes of gaining further reform A political party formed by farmers originally in hopes of gaining further reform America had shifted from agrarian to an industrial economy. Farmers still wanted a voice America had shifted from agrarian to an industrial economy. Farmers still wanted a voice

7. Populists They had 3 major goals They had 3 major goals Graduated income tax Graduated income tax Direct election of Senators Direct election of Senators Government ownership of utilities (railroads, telegraphs, telephones) Government ownership of utilities (railroads, telegraphs, telephones)

8. Populists Grassroots party that garnered support from the people directly Grassroots party that garnered support from the people directly Wanted free silver – unlimited coinage of silver would make it easier for farmers to pay off debts Wanted free silver – unlimited coinage of silver would make it easier for farmers to pay off debts William Jennings Bryan runs for presidency numerous times under this party, but loses by significant margins every time William Jennings Bryan runs for presidency numerous times under this party, but loses by significant margins every time