Protest and Reform Growing agricultural problems for the nation’s farmers created the conditions for discontent and political turmoil.

I. Hard Times Down on the Farm Last 30 years of the 19 th century were not good ones for farmers American farmer was losing economic, political and social power Major shifts occurring in the way Americans made money

II. Reasons for these Agricultural Troubles Drop in Farm Prices Increasing Costs High Tariffs Inadequate Currency --The “Crime of ’73” Gradual erosion of political power and leadership

II. Reasons for Agricultural Troubles (cont.) Gradual erosion of social power and leadership New Business practices National recessions Problems with “middlemen” Unforgiving environment Ingrained tradition of rugged individualism and physical isolation

III. Agricultural Organization to Deal with Discontent The Grange (1867) -- “cost-side” solutions The Greenback Party (1877) -- “price-side” solutions The Alliance Movement (1880’s) --Mary Elizabeth Lease The national Populist Party (1892)

IV. The Omaha Platform (1892) Government ownership of railroads Graduated income tax Direct Election of Senators The Secret Ballot Sub-treasury to secure cheap loans Expansion of currency Shorter industrial work week

IV. Omaha Platform (cont.) Free and Unlimited Coinage of Silver William Harvey’s Coin’s Financial School (1894) Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)

V. The Politics of “The Gilded Age” “Gilded Age” politics Major campaign issues Even division of power between the parties Ideal presidential candidate Alliances between government and businessmen were common

V. “Gilded Age” Politics (cont.) High voter turnout during the late 19 th century The typical late 19 th century Republican The typical late 19 th century Democrat

VI. Reform and Presidential Politics

A. The Election of 1880 Garfield (R-Ohio) vs. Winfield Scott Hancock (D-Pa) Garfield’s assassination Arthur = better than expected Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

B. The Election of 1884 Republicans nominated James G. Blaine (Maine) The rise of the “Mugwumps” Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland (NY) The 1884 Campaign Cleveland’s First Term in Office Called for Tariff Reform

C. The Election of 1888 Cleveland (D-NY) vs. Benjamin Harrison (R- IN) The Campaign and the Results of the Election Harrison’s Presidency “Billion Dollar” Congress of 1890 McKinley Tariff

D. The Election of 1892 Cleveland vs. Harrison again Strong Populist showing by James Weaver (Iowa) Problems for Populists Cleveland’s Second Administration The Panic of 1893 Coxey’s Army

E. The Election of 1896 Currency = major issue of the campaign Democrats nominated William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska -- “Cross of Gold” Speech at Chicago convention The Populist Dilemma

E. The Election of 1896 (cont.) Republicans nominated William McKinley (Ohio) Reasons for Election Results Political Significance of this election McKinley’s Presidency The Currency Act of 1900 Currency and Tariff reform swallowed up by calls for war