The Wizard of OZ and Populism

Many believe the story is an allegory for the Populist movement Many believe the story is an allegory for the Populist movement. That is, each character from the book/movie represents someone or something from history.

Dorothy Represents the hopes and dreams of the Populist Party

Witch of the East Represents Industrialist and Bankers in the Atlantic States who are rich are foreclosing on farms.

Wicked Witch of the West Represents the power shift from Industrialists and bankers of the Atlantic states to Railroad and owners and corporations of the Great Lakes states. Railroads begin buying up land including foreclosed farms.

Scarecrow Midwest farmers No brain, unorganized

Tin Woodsman Less than human industrial worker Does the same task over and over. Becomes somewhat robotic. Needs to be human again (HEART)

Lion William Jennings Bryan Represents the Populist party as a Democrat and farmers Needs courage. Bryan was an excellent speaker and LOUD!!!

Yellow Brick Road Represents the gold standard, which all money is backed by. This hurt farmers because their debt was so great.

Wizard Presidents of the Gilded Age.

Munchkins The Common Workers

Uncle Henry and Aunt Em Struggling old Farmers who need the populist party

OZ Washington D.C.

Flying Monkeys Native Americans of the West who have been displaced. Immigrants who will work for less money

Scarecrow, Tin Man, Dorothy and the Lion marching to OZ Coxey’s army marching to Washington D.C.

Ruby Red Slippers They were silver in the book. Populist party idea the unlimited coinage of silver would help farmers in debt.

Kansas One of the few states that supported the Populist party

The Wizard behind the curtain Candidates didn’t campaign among the people so they were unknown and sometimes scary

Witch of the West killed by water Drought hurt the farmers but they were empowered by good crops which allowed them to pay their mortgages and debts

What good were the Populists? Influenced Congress Responsible for the 16th and 17th amendments being considered and eventually adopted.