Warm Up Use notes from yesterday and answer the following questions: For what reasons did Americans want to move west? After the government’s failure to satisfy the Native Americans by giving them land, what did Americans attempt to do next to Native Americans? What was the purpose of the Homestead Act? Why was barbed wire so important in establishing the West?

1.2 – Farmers & Populism

Farmers Unite: Socially 1867 – The Grange founded Educated farmers on the best farming techniques and practices Lobbied fed gov’t to regulate the railroads’ shipping rates Farmers’ Alliances Educate farmers and other people about banks’ unfair high interest rates and unjust railroad practices

Farmers Unite: Politically Populism – movement of the common people The Populist Party (1892) AKA The People’s Party Became the political voice of the farmer (common people) Forms some of the foundation of the modern Democratic party – the gov’t is responsible for reforming injustices Omaha Platform (Populist goals): Increase money in circulation  raise prices Graduated income tax Government ownership of railroads to fight high prices

Early Success of the Populists In elections during 1892, the Populist party did well 3 governors, 5 senators, 10 in Congress

Panic of 1893 Railroad industry expanded too quickly to make money. Farmer debt  can’t pay shipping costs Small gold supply in the fed reserve. 1893 – Railroad companies started going bankrupt  stocks fell  people try to exchange paper money for gold  banks collapse  loss of savings and jobs.

Silver or Gold? Gold Bugs Silverites Gold standard – using only gold to back currency $ more valuable Less ppl have $ Prices decrease What did they want? Bimetallism – using both gold and silver to back currency More $ in circulation More ppl have $ Prices increase Republicans – POTUS Cleveland Industrialized north Bankers, businessmen Who? Democrats and Populists Agriculturally based south and west Farmers and laborers Loans would be repaid in stable $. Why? Products would be sold at high prices. DEFLATION – prices fall, value of $ increases, fewer ppl have money. Effects? INFLATION – prices rise, value of money decreases, more people have money.

Election of 1896 Republicans – William McKinley Democrats and Populists – William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan Nebraskan congressman Strong debating and speech skills Supported the “common man”

Election of 1896 - Results 25th POTUS = McKinley Bimetalism did not appeal to urban workers who would suffer from higher prices Populist party fell apart

Legacy of the Populists The downtrodden could organize and have a political impact Catalyst for reform movements in the gov’t (politically and economically) “Populism in 10 Minutes”

Wizard of Oz and Populism Gold Standard Yellow Brick Road Farmers Scarecrow Bryan (Cowardly) Lion Industrialization Tin Man Silver standard/Bimetalism Dorothy’s Slippers, ( "Your Silver Shoes will carry you over the desert.....If you had known their power you could have gone back to your Aunt Em the very first day you came to this country.“) Common Americans, farmers Dorothy Politicians Wizard Plains Indians Winged Monkeys Bankers Wicked Witch of the East: Nature Wicked Witch of the West (water kills, farmers need water) Middle class and below Munchkins, Little people of society , formed in gilds Washington DC Emerald City Change Tornado Wizard of Oz and Populism Allegory – characters or events represent or symbolize ideas and concepts. Ex: Women in political cartoons or historical images are used to represent liberty, democracy, etc. Article on Wizard of Oz and Populism Wizard of Oz “Trailer”