The Populist (Peoples’) Party Founded by James B. Weaver and Tom Watson.  Founded by James B. Weaver and Tom Watson.  Omaha, NE Convention in July,  Got almost 1 million popular votes.  Several Congressional seats won. James B. Weaver, Presidential Candidate & James G. Field, VP

The Plight of Farmers In the late 19 th century, farmers struggled to survive. Between 1867 and 1887 the price of a bushel of wheat fell from two dollars to 68 cents, railroads conspired to keep transportation costs artificially high, and farmers were caught in a cycle of debt.

The Grange Farmers demanded help from state and federal governments. When this relief did not come, Midwestern farmers banded together in 1867 to form the Grange. By 1875, the Grange had more than 800,000 members.

Education and Fellowship The Grange offered farmers education and fellowship through biweekly social functions, at which farmers shared their grievances and discussed agricultural and political reforms.

Cooperative Action To increase farm profits, Grangers negotiated deals with machinery companies and set up cooperatives and grain storage facilities. They also fought against railroad companies for hiking prices for short-distance shipment. The efforts of the Grange played a big role in the passage of the 1887 Interstate Commerce Act.

The Farmers’ Alliance By 1880, the Grange had faded and was replaced by the more political Farmers’ Alliance. Beginning as a local group in Texas in the late 1870s, alliances spread throughout the South and Northwest, and by 1890, boasted a membership of 1.5 million nationwide.

The Populist Party In 1892, Alliance members helped found the Populist Party, which drew support from urban laborers as well as farmers.

Proposed Economic Reforms Populist economic reforms included: – An increase in the supply of money – A rise in crop prices – Lower taxes – A federal loan program – An 8-hour workday – Reduced immigration

Proposed Political Reforms Populist political reforms included: – Direct election of senators – Single term presidencies

Populists Made Small Gains In the 1892 Presidential election, the Populist party candidate won only 9% of the vote. However, in the West, the party elected five senators, three governors and 1,500 state legislators. The smallest specimen yet (Populist party candidate’s showing in the election)

Note: Democratic states are red and Republican states are blue.

Support for Populists Grew The Panic of 1893 gave the Populist Party new life. Railroads went bankrupt, the stock market lost value, 15,000 businesses and 500 banks collapsed. Three million people lost their jobs – putting unemployment at 20%.

The Election of 1896 The 1896 presidential election, which pitted Republican William McKinley against Democrat William Jennings Bryan, was a crucial turning point in U.S. history. Many contemporaries considered it the most important political event since Abraham Lincoln’s election in William McKinley

Silver or Gold? The central issue of the campaign was which metal to use as the basis for the nation’s monetary system: bimetallism (gold and silver) or gold alone. The Republicans preferred gold and the Democrats favored free silver (bimetallism at a ratio of 16 units of silver to one of gold).

Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech The Democrats hoped that free silver would increase the supply of money and provide more credit to farmers and workers. But despite Bryan’s stirring words, “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold,” McKinley won the 1896 election.

Republican Dominance Because the Populists had joined the Democrats in supporting William Jennings Bryan, they lost their ability to bring about constructive change. McKinley’s victory established Republican dominance in Washington for over a decade.

Ideas of the Populist Party Farmers Form The Populist Party In response to their problems farmers formed a political party called the Populist Party. The elected William Jennings Bryan as their leader and first candidate for president. As a third party the Populists hoped to get their ideas and needs placed into the public arena. The Populist sought the following for their platform: 1.Elimination of the gold standard. Populists supported the Silver Standards which would have made money cheaper and more available. This would have created inflationary pressure and raised prices. If a silver standard would not be accepted they would have settled for bimetallism. 2. Passage of an income tax. 3. The end of life tenure of Federal Judges. 4. The end of the printing of paper currency by nationally chartered private banks.

The End of Populism With McKinley’s victory, Populism collapsed, burying the hopes of the farmer for a better life. The Populist Party was short-lived but left an important legacy: – A message that the downtrodden can organize and be heard – An agenda of reforms that would be enacted in the 20 th century.

Dorothy – Average American with little knowledge of world around them; Kansas is where the populist movement began Tin Man – Industrial Worker rusted in place without labor unions; made of metal showing how workers were dehumanized Tin Man Oz (Ounces as gold is measured) – Washington, D.C. that is represented by those who support big business; green for money Wizard – Man behind the scenes represents scheming politicians using tricks to make people believe him Yellow Brick Road – Only way to Oz; gold standard Silver Slippers – Farmers’ support of silver standard Populism and The Wizard of Oz

Wicked Witch of the West – Represents horrible drought terrorizing farmers at this time as well as wildfires, wild animals, etc.; water destroys her and needed for huge drought relief Scarecrow – Farmers that lack education Scarecrow Lion – William Jennings Bryan who makes a lot of noise but never becomes president; seen as cowardly for not supporting Spanish-American War Lion Tornado – Political upheaval created by the Populist Movement Flying Monkeys – Native Americans representing a danger to the farmers of the West Flying Monkeys

Glinda, the Good Witch of the North/South – North/South supporting Bryan and Populist movement Wicked Witch of the East – Big Corporations that support McKinley Wicked Witch of the East Munchkins – Average workers of the east enslaved by the Wicked Witch of the East, or the big corporations Toto – Represents the “Toteelers” of the Temperance Movement that follows along with the Populist Beliefs.