The Wizard of Oz and Populism

Key Vocabulary We need to understand the following terms to understand what’s important We need to understand the following terms to understand what’s important Political party Political party Platform Platform Economic depression Economic depression Allegory Allegory

Foundations of Populism National Grange National Grange Goal: Goal: Regulate railroad rates Regulate railroad rates Result: Result: Interstate Commerce Act (reasonable rates) Interstate Commerce Act (reasonable rates) *1 st time federal gov’t passed a law to regulate industry *1 st time federal gov’t passed a law to regulate industry Farmer’s Alliance (1870s) Farmer’s Alliance (1870s) Goal: Goal: Wanted gov’t to print more money Farmers believed they could charge more if more money was in circulation Result: Result: Led to the organization of the Populist Party

Populist Party Aka: People’s Party Aka: People’s Party Alliance of farmers, labor leaders, reformers Alliance of farmers, labor leaders, reformers Goal: Goal: Bank regulation, gov’t ownership of railroads, unlimited silver coinage Bank regulation, gov’t ownership of railroads, unlimited silver coinage Result: Result: Candidate lost in 1896 election Candidate lost in 1896 election Issues faded as they were resolved Issues faded as they were resolved

Background After the Gilded Age (economic prosperity)  farmers experienced economic downturns. After the Gilded Age (economic prosperity)  farmers experienced economic downturns. Farmers wanted gov’t ownership of railroads and other industries Farmers wanted gov’t ownership of railroads and other industries They were losing land to railroads & banks They were losing land to railroads & banks Economic problems were blamed Pres. Cleveland’s switch from a gold & silver to a gold standard for currency Economic problems were blamed Pres. Cleveland’s switch from a gold & silver to a gold standard for currency

Populist Movement The Populist movement was born of the farmers frustrations and their attempt to gain political change through politics The Populist movement was born of the farmers frustrations and their attempt to gain political change through politics In 1892 the Populist party was formed and ran a candidate for President, with the following key elements of their platform: In 1892 the Populist party was formed and ran a candidate for President, with the following key elements of their platform: A return to the gold and silver standard A return to the gold and silver standard Government ownership of the railroads Government ownership of the railroads

William Jennings Bryan 1896 Presidential Election 1896 Presidential Election William McKinley vs. William Jennings Bryan William McKinley vs. William Jennings Bryan Bryan – Populist candidate in 1896 Bryan – Populist candidate in 1896 “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” - Bryan “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” - Bryan

Frank L. Baum Author of the Wizard of Oz Author of the Wizard of Oz Moved to and lived in the Midwest during the late 1800s and saw first hand some of the conditions that the Populist Party was trying to deal with. Moved to and lived in the Midwest during the late 1800s and saw first hand some of the conditions that the Populist Party was trying to deal with.

The Characters 1. Dorothy 2. Wicked Witch of the East 3. Ruby (Silver) Slippers 4. Yellow Brick Road 5. Emerald City 6. The Scarecrow 7. The Tin Man 8. The Lion 9. Wicked Witch of the West 10. Flying Monkeys 11. The Wizard 12. Glinda (the good witch) 13. Toto 14. Getting Home

Dorothy Represented America-- honest and plucky, kindhearted Represented America-- honest and plucky, kindhearted She is lost and trying to find her way home She is lost and trying to find her way home

Wicked Witch of the East

Represents Eastern Bankers Represents Eastern Bankers Shows what will happen to them if they continue foreclosures Shows what will happen to them if they continue foreclosures

Ruby (Silver) Slippers Taken from the Wicked Witch of the East Represent the silver standard issue

Yellow Brick Road The Gold Standard

Emerald City Washington D.C. – Where all of the problems are supposed to be solved

The Scarecrow  Represents the American farmer--thinks he lacks brains, but in the book he's quite shrewd and helps the journey to D.C.

The Tin Man  Represents the alienated working class. Once he was all flesh and blood, now they are just machines in an industrial age.

The Lion

The Cowardly Lion Courage (Baum himself) Courage (Baum himself) OR William Jennings Bryan (1886 Pres. Candidate vs. McKinley) – “Cross of Gold” speech OR William Jennings Bryan (1886 Pres. Candidate vs. McKinley) – “Cross of Gold” speech

Wicked Witch of the West

The Wicked Witch of the West Represent s the other opponent of the farmers – nature. Represent s the other opponent of the farmers – nature. Killed by water = irony Killed by water = irony

Flying Monkeys

Represent the plains Indians who continued to swoop down and harass the Midwest Represent the plains Indians who continued to swoop down and harass the Midwest

The Wizard  Probably Pres. Cleveland, hated for taking away the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Behind curtain pulling levers--machine politics controlling things. Only provides the heroes with symbolic rewards.

Glinda (The Good Witch)

Glinda Represents the Southern Populists Represents the Southern Populists The answer is there all the time – realization of the importance of silver will show the farmers, and America, the way home The answer is there all the time – realization of the importance of silver will show the farmers, and America, the way home

Toto Prohibition Party (also called the “Tea Totalers”) a nickname: TOTO

Getting Home To get home, all you had to do was click the ruby (silver) slippers on the Yellow Brick Road (gold & silver standard) to get home

Reading We’re going to read an article to find out what Oz & the Munchkins represent. We’re going to read an article to find out what Oz & the Munchkins represent. As you read, consider whether various groups (see next pg) would be for (in favor of) or against the Populist Party As you read, consider whether various groups (see next pg) would be for (in favor of) or against the Populist Party Make a chart on the back of your notes (see example) Make a chart on the back of your notes (see example)

Chart Point of ViewFor or Against Populist Party Reasoning (justification) Farmer Banker Railroad Owner Democrat