Farmers in Revolt The Emergence of the Populist Party

The Agrarian Movement Less than 2% of Americans live on farms today 1870s… Majority of Americans did before urbanization rapidly expanded

Problems of Farmers Agricultural Overproduction— machinery and improved techniques increased productivity per acre—food prices fell  farmers  consumers High Costs—farmers had to ship their crops to market –Had to pay what Railroads charged –Railroads took advantage and charged higher for shorter routes

Farmer Indebtedness—farmers borrowed money to buy machinery –Poor harvests, farmers also borrowed –BANKS charged high interest rates because farmers were a credit risk! Periodic Natural Disasters—droughts, insect invasions, and floods

Early Farm Organizations The Grange Original Purpose 1867 “To provide a social outlet because of rural isolation and educational services for new farming techniques” “To provide a social outlet because of rural isolation and educational services for new farming techniques”

Farmer’s View of the East

The Granger Laws Farmers blamed railroads for difficulties –Overcharged!!!!!

The Political Grange Elected member to state legislature and CongressElected member to state legislature and Congress Passed “Granger Laws” in the states to regulate the rates charged by railroads and warehouses.Passed “Granger Laws” in the states to regulate the rates charged by railroads and warehouses. Supreme Court overturns many these laws—NO STATE HELP Supreme Court overturns many these laws—NO STATE HELP 

The Political Grange Grangers turn to CONGRESSGrangers turn to CONGRESS Congress passed Interstate Commerce Act (1887)Congress passed Interstate Commerce Act (1887) –FIRST FEDERAL AGENCY TO REGULATE UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES MARKING A CHANGE FROM THE LAISSEZ- FAIRE PAST!!!

Interstate Commerce This act prohibited railroads from charging more for short hauls than long over the same route Interstate Commerce Commission –Investigated complaints and enforced the act

The Populist Party 1892– Beginning of Populist Party1892– Beginning of Populist Party –Represented the “COMMON MAN” Farmers, miners, industrial workersFarmers, miners, industrial workers –BATTLED AGAINST BANKS AND RAILROADS Women also played a prominent roleWomen also played a prominent role Advocated many reforms that were later adopted by CongressAdvocated many reforms that were later adopted by Congress Believed a shortage of Currency was the problem!!Believed a shortage of Currency was the problem!!

The Populist Party Platform 1892 Held Convention in Nebraska and chose a PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.Held Convention in Nebraska and chose a PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. If you want to run for office… you have to have a PLATFORM (What are you going to fight for???!)If you want to run for office… you have to have a PLATFORM (What are you going to fight for???!)

The Populist Party Platform 1892 Unlimited Coinage of Silver Term limits for President Direction Election of Senators Secret Ballot Government Ownership Immigration Restrictions Graduated Income Tax Shorter Work Day To raise farm prices and make loan repayments easier To tax wealthy at a higher rate Protect voters from intimidation Of railroads, telephone, and telegraph Permitting on single term in office Instead of by state legislatures Eight hours With quotas

Election of 1892 Republican –HarrisonRepublican –Harrison Democrat- ClevelandDemocrat- Cleveland Populist – Weaver – He received over 1 million votes and carried Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, and Idaho for a total of 22 electoral votes.Populist – Weaver – He received over 1 million votes and carried Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, and Idaho for a total of 22 electoral votes.

Election of 1896 William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan William McKinleyWilliam McKinley

Election of 1896 Republican Party McKinley McKinley Platform: Gold StandardPlatform: Gold Standard

Election of 1896 Democratic and Populist Party Bryan Platform: Bimetallism – free coinage of silver Woman suffrage Income Tax

Bryan vs. McKinley Who Supported Farmers and Laborers Bankers and Businessmen What they Wanted Bimetallism More money in circulation Gold Standard Less money in circulation Why Products would sell for higher prices Loans would be paid in stable currency Effects INFLATION Prices rise Value of money decreases More people have money DEFLATION Prices fall Value of money increases Fewer people have money

William Jennings Bryan’s Cross of Gold Speech “You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold”

Election Results McKinley wins with 7 million votesMcKinley wins with 7 million votes Populist Party collapsedPopulist Party collapsed

Legacy of the Populist Party The downtrodden could organize and have political impactThe downtrodden could organize and have political impact Many of the ideas of the Populist Party Platform became law during the first years of the 20 th centuryMany of the ideas of the Populist Party Platform became law during the first years of the 20 th century

Populist Party in Literature