Essential Questions: What were the successes and failures of the Populist Party? Why was it the most important 3 rd party in American History?

Problems of the Farmers Drought Surpluses Prices set by world market Railroad corruption Debt & monetary policies

Farmer’s Organize The Grange The Southern Alliance The Coop

Written by a Farmer at the End of the 19c When the banker says he's broke And the merchant’s up in smoke, They forget that it's the farmer who feeds them all. It would put them to the test If the farmer took a rest; Then they'd know that it's the farmer feeds them all. Catalyst: 1891 = Banks began to foreclose on farm mortgages

Founder of the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry (1867)

The Grange Movement  First major farmer organization.  Began as a social organization (farmers could avoid isolation).  As financial problems grew, became a political organization that challenged the railroads.

The Grange Movement  Set up cooperatives - where farmers combined their resources to buy and sell goods  Succeeded in getting Congress to pass “Granger Laws.” to regulate the RR

Granger Laws Granger Laws  Munn vs. Illinois (1877)  Allowed state legislatures to regulate RR  Interstate Commerce Act (1877)  Made railroads play fair

The Farmers Alliances  A more powerful farm organization  Built upon the Grange.  More political and less social.  Ran candidates for office.  Controlled 8 state legislatures & had 47 representatives in Congress during the 1890s.

The Farmers Alliances  Omaha Platform, 1892 (What they lobbied for)  Graduated income tax  Government ownership of RRs  Expansion of money supply  1873: Gold Standard (The amount of $ in circulation was limited by the amount of gold held in the treasury.)

The Money Supply  1873: Gold Standard (The amount of $ in circulation was limited by the amount of gold held in the treasury.)  Caused a decrease in the amount of money in circulation  Lowered prices (bad for farmers trying to sell crops)  Farmers Alliance wanted to back $ supply with silver

The Populist (Peoples’) Party  Formed when Farmers Alliance did so well in 1890 election.  Platform included most of Farmers Alliance ideas  Government ownership of RR, telegraphs, telephone  Graduated income tax  Return all excess RR land to government James B. Weaver, Presidential Candidate & James G. Field, VP

The Populist (Peoples’) Party  Also wanted political reform  Direct election of senators  Secret ballot  Initiative (laws can be suggested by average people)  Referendum (laws can be voted by average people) James B. Weaver, Presidential Candidate & James G. Field, VP

1892 Election

Bi-Metallism Issue

Causes of the 1893 Panic  Begun 10 days after Cleveland took office. 1. Several major corps. went bankrupt. 2. Bank failures followed causing a contraction of credit [nearly 500 banks closed]. 3. By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million.  Americans cried out for relief, but the Govt. continued its laissez faire policies!! (They did nothing.)

Here Lies Prosperity

Gold / Silver Bug Campaign Pins Populists and other free-silver proponents advocated unlimited coinage of silver in order to inflate the money supply, thus making it easer for cash-strapped farmers and small businessmen to borrow money and pay off debts.

William Jennings Bryan The “Great Commoner” Democratic CandidateDemocratic Candidate Supports free silverSupports free silver Endorsed by the Populist PartyEndorsed by the Populist Party

You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold! You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!

Mark Hanna: The “Front-Porch” Campaign

William McKinley Republican CandidateRepublican Candidate Conservative platform Gold standard (sound $)

The Seasoned Politician vs. The “Young” Newcomer The Seasoned Politician vs. The “Young” Newcomer

1896 Election Results

Gold Triumphs Over Silver  1900  Gold Standard Act  confirmed the nation’s commitment to the gold standard.

16 th Amendment—Graduated Income Tax 17 th Amendment—Direct Election of Senators Initiative & referendum Australian (secret) ballot If they lost the presidential election, why was the Populist Party considered a success?

What happened to Populism? 1. McKinley won (not Bryan) 2. Farmers economic conditions begin to improve. 3. Populism dies but lays groundwork for future reform.

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

1964: Henry Littlefield’s “Thesis”?

“Parable of the Populists”?  Tornado  ?  Dorothy  ?  Toto  ?  Kansas  ?  Wicked Witch of the East  ?  Tin Woodsman  ?  Scarecrow  ?  Cowardly Lion  ?  Silver Slippers  ?  Emerald City  ?  Oz  ?  The Wizard  ?  Munchkins  ?  Wicked Witch of the West  ?  Yellow Brick Road  ?

Heyday of Western Populism