Populism and the Wizard of OZ.
Farmer’s Complaint Tariffs: Tariffs: 1. Raised price on foreign farm machinery. 2.US tariffs on foreign manufactured goods lead to European tariffs on Farmers crops. Monetary Policy: Monetary Policy: Farmers wanted an increase in money supply. Opponents wanted a tighter money supply The Silver Question: The Silver Question: Gold Bugs vs. Silverites
Farmer Protests The Grange- 1866, helped form a coop of farmers who could work together for change. The Grange- 1866, helped form a coop of farmers who could work together for change. Farmer Alliances- networks of farmers that banded together to call for regulation of the rail roads, more money in circulation, anti-trust laws and farm credit. Farmer Alliances- networks of farmers that banded together to call for regulation of the rail roads, more money in circulation, anti-trust laws and farm credit. Government Response: President Cleveland “though the people support the government, the government should not support the people”. Government Response: President Cleveland “though the people support the government, the government should not support the people”. Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887: this act regulated the rail prices, and disallow rails from giving special discounts to some customers. Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887: this act regulated the rail prices, and disallow rails from giving special discounts to some customers.
The Populists In 1890 the Farmers’ Alliances formed the Populist Party and had the following platform: In 1890 the Farmers’ Alliances formed the Populist Party and had the following platform: Expanded money supply Expanded money supply Unlimited minting of silver Unlimited minting of silver Progressive income tax: greater financial burden on industrialists and less on farmers. Progressive income tax: greater financial burden on industrialists and less on farmers. Government ownership of communications and transportation systems. Government ownership of communications and transportation systems.
Presidential Candidate Bryan William Jennings Bryan was the 1896 Democratic Candidate and after giving his famous Cross of Gold speech was supported by the Populists. William Jennings Bryan was the 1896 Democratic Candidate and after giving his famous Cross of Gold speech was supported by the Populists. Failed to pull in American Factory Workers Failed to pull in American Factory Workers The Cross of Gold Speech The Cross of Gold Speech Refer to the gold standard Refer to the gold standard You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, You shall not crucify mankind upon a “cross of gold!” You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, You shall not crucify mankind upon a “cross of gold!”
Link to the Wizard of Oz When Baum wrote the Wizard of Oz, he made astute observations about rural life in South Dakota and urban/industrial life in Chicago. When Baum wrote the Wizard of Oz, he made astute observations about rural life in South Dakota and urban/industrial life in Chicago. Many have made the links between the movie, industrialization, westward expansion and the Populist movement. Many have made the links between the movie, industrialization, westward expansion and the Populist movement.
In your notes, list the following historical concepts… “Robber Baron” “Robber Baron” Farmers Farmers William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan Industrial Workers (2) Industrial Workers (2) “Captain of Industry” “Captain of Industry” Gold Standard Gold Standard President Cleveland President Cleveland The “Everyman” American The “Everyman” American Free Silver Free Silver Washington D.C. Washington D.C.
As we encounter each character from The Wizard of Oz… try and match the earlier concepts to one of the characters.
The Scarecrow “if I only had a brain.” “if I only had a brain.”
Farmers
The Tin Man “if I only had a heart.” “if I only had a heart.”
Industrialists
The Cowardly Lion “big roar, little bite”, lacked courage “big roar, little bite”, lacked courage
William Jennings Bryan
The Yellow Brick Road “follow the yellow brick road” that leads nowhere “follow the yellow brick road” that leads nowhere
The Gold Standard
Dorothy
The “Everyman” American
Dorothy’s Shoes Originally silver in the book, these got Dorothy out of the land of Oz. Originally silver in the book, these got Dorothy out of the land of Oz.
Free Silver
The Wicked Witch of The East
“Robber Baron” Rockefeller and Standard Oil: Rockefeller and Standard Oil:
The Munchkins “in bondage for many years, making them slave for the witch night and day.” “in bondage for many years, making them slave for the witch night and day.”
Industrial workers - immigrants
Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz
Washington D.C. & President Cleveland
The Good Witch of the North Allows Dorothy to take the Ruby (silver) shoes Allows Dorothy to take the Ruby (silver) shoes
“Captain of Industry” Andrew Carnegie Andrew Carnegie