2 nd Industrial Revolution and Politics USHC 4.4

Inventions and Farmers American farmers more efficient Steam engine Tractors US becoming one of world’s largest food producers

Effect on Crop Prices Supply / Demand Supply is low & demand is high the good is worth more As farmers become more efficient, supply increases causing prices to drop. Problems: Same work, less profit Unable to pay loans for farms and equipment Banks foreclose loans

Farmers Reaction Farmers first response Plant more crops Causes supply to rise which causes prices to fall more Blame turned to railroads High freight prices Many railroads were monopolies

Legal Efforts Farmers attempt to organize politically Farmer Alliances Granger Laws passed by states to limit prices on shipping and storing goods Supreme Court eventually rules that these laws cannot be enforced since only Congress can regulate trade between states.

Farmer Politics Populist Party Platform Regulation of railroads Shipping prices are to be controlled by the government Cheap money based on silver Easier to get a loan Popular election of Senators People voting for their senator Secret ballot Casting votes in privacy Graduated income tax If you make more you should pay more

Labor Unions Problems in big business for workers Long hours, low wages, and safety issues Unemployment, injury, and death Business used workers like machines Strikes have limited success Constant stream of people needing work Scabs Violence between picketers and scabs “Yellow dog” contracts

Major Strikes Railroad Strike of 1877 Haymarket Square Incident Pullman Strike Rail car workers Public begins to see unions as radical groups – communists, anarchists

Union Successes Collective Bargaining Successes with improved wages, hours and conditions 8 hour workday Overall lack of success Immigrants were often attracted to unions Reemphasizes mistrust among public

Election of 1896 Big issues Money: paper currency v. metal, gold v. silver Government support of Big Business or the workers and farmers William McKinley, Republican Big Business supporter William Jennings Bryan, Democrat “Cross of Gold” speech McKinley wins very close election