Exploring American History Unit VI – A Growing America Chapter 18 Section 3 – Farming and Populism
Farming and Populism The Big Idea Settlers on the Great Plains created new communities and unique political groups. Main Ideas Many Americans started new lives on the Great Plains. Economic challenges led to the creation of farmers’ political groups. By the 1890s, the western frontier had come to an end.
Farming New Lives in the West Building Communities –Annie Bidwell
Blizzards on the Plains
Main Idea 1: Many Americans started new lives on the Great Plains. Two important land-grant acts helped open the West to settlers in –The Homestead Act. –The Morrill Act. People who made new lives in the West included women, immigrants, and African Americans. –Exodusters
Homestead Act
Morrill Act
New lives on the Plains How did the Homestead Act and Morrill Act open up the West? What were some of the Challenges of farming on the Plains? Why did the Plains farmers give up on crops such as corn? Who was Annie Bidwell How did the formation of communities help the settlers.
Farmers on the Great Plains ReasonsReasons ChallengesChallenges Political ChallengesPolitical Challenges
Main Idea 2: Economic challenges led to the creation of farmers’ political groups. The United States was growing during the period The United States was growing during the period Farm incomes fell.Farm incomes fell. Farmers formed associations to protect their interests.Farmers formed associations to protect their interests.
Farmers- during and after the Civil War. During the Civil War. After the War.
The National Grange and the Railroads The National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. The Grange called for laws. The Supreme Court ruled: Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887-
Farmers’ reform movements Interstate Commerce Act of 1887-
Free Silver Debate Free Silver Debate and the Populist Party Populist Party
Sherman Silver Purchase Act The Sherman Silver Purchase Act was enacted in 1890 as a United States federal law. A compromise with the advocates of free and unlimited coinage of silver.
Populist Party- Populist Party- The goal was not just to relieve economic pressure on agriculture, but also to restore democracy by eliminating what the Populists saw as the corrupt and corrupting alliance between business and government. Platform: Omaha 1892 Mary Lease
PoliticianPolitician SupportedSupported PopulistPopulist Influential speaker and newspaper editorInfluential speaker and newspaper editor Democratic candidate for president inDemocratic candidate for president in Populists supported Bryan.Populists supported Bryan. One Main Issue-One Main Issue- William Jennings Bryan
Populist Party Election of 1896 –Republican William McKinley- –Democrat/Populist William Jennings Bryant-
Farmers Political Groups Why did farm incomes fall? What is the National Grange? Do you think the government should have regulated railroad rates to help farmers? What were Farmer’s Alliances? What were the Populist Party’s main issues? What did the 1896 election results sayh about the Americans’ view on the free silver debate?
Main Idea 3: By the 1890s, the western frontier had come to an end. Only small portions of the Great Plains remained unsettled by 1870.Only small portions of the Great Plains remained unsettled by Oklahoma land rush.Oklahoma land rush. The frontier had ceased to exist in the United States by the early 1890s.The frontier had ceased to exist in the United States by the early 1890s.
Main Idea 3: By the 1890s, the western frontier had come to an end. To whom did the land claimed by homesteaders in the Oklahoma land rush previously belong?To whom did the land claimed by homesteaders in the Oklahoma land rush previously belong? Why do you think so many people rushed to Oklahoma to claim land?Why do you think so many people rushed to Oklahoma to claim land?