Section 3: Farmers and Populism

Objectives Analyze the problems farmers faced and the groups they formed to address them. Assess the goals of the Populists, and explain why the Populist Party did not last.

Terms and People Oliver H. Kelley – a Minnesota farmer and businessman who organized the Grange Grange – an organization of farmers who joined to learn about new farming techniques, to call for the regulation of railroad and grain elevator rates, and to prompt the establishment of the ICC Populist Party – a political party formed in 1892 on a platform of silver coinage, government ownership of the railroads, and fighting the corrupt and unresponsive elite

Terms and People (continued) William Jennings Bryan – the Democratic nominee for president in 1896, who supported many Populist principles including silver coinage, and who toured the country to speak directly to voters William McKinley – the Republican candidate for president in 1896, who followed a traditional strategy of letting party workers campaign for him 4

What led to the rise of the Populist movement, and what effect did it have? Millions of Americans moved west after the Civil War to pursue the American dream. A variety of factors led to the social & political revolt known as Populism Created largest third party movement in American history.

low prices for crops Problems facing the farmers of the West and South high transportation, equipment, loan costs drought reduced influence in politics They didn’t anticipate many problems that made survival nearly impossible.

Frustrated by these problems, farmers began to organize.

Farmers created groups to address their problems. These groups formed a network called the Granger movement “The Grange”. The Grange declined after the 1870s, but Farmers’ Alliances continued the Grange’s goals.

The Populist platform, called for: The spread of the Farmers’ Alliances led to the formation of the Populist Party in 1892. The Populist platform, called for: coinage of silver an income tax government ownership of railroads bank regulations 9

The debate over monetary policy was an important issue of the day. Those who wanted to use silver—including the Populist Party—were on the other. Those who wanted a gold standard were on one side.

The Populists did well in 1892, electing 3 governors, 5 senators, and 10 congressmen. The Populist candidate for president received one million votes in that election. 11

An economic depression began in 1893 and labor unrest and violence broke out. The Populist Party (aka People’s Party) grew.

He toured the country, talking directly to voters. William Jennings Bryan campaigned against Republican candidate William McKinley in a way that had never been seen before. He toured the country, talking directly to voters.

McKinley won against Bryan in 1896 and in 1900. Bryan’s emphasis on money reform wasn’t popular with urban workers.

Section 3 Assessment What were farmers’ major grievances and complaints? (Pg. 535) What reforms did the farmers’ organizations introduce? (Pg. 535-536) What were the goals of the Populist Party? (Pg. 536) What did William Jennings Bryan do to affect the Populist Party? (Pg. 539)

Drought; reduction in political pull; economic concerns; etc. The Grange System (became Farmers’ Alliance) to respond to issues/concerns Called for government ownership of railroads; income tax; coinage of silver; bank regulations; etc. Emphasized of money in his campaign