Chapter 12, Section 3 FARMERS AND POPULISM

 What were the problems that farmers in the West and South were facing?  Falling crop prices after the Civil War  Rising debt  Why did farmers blame the railroad companies and banks for their plight?  The railroads could charge whatever price they wanted;  Banks set high interest rates for farmer FARMERS FACE PROBLEMS

 How did each of the following farm movements begin and what reforms did they help bring about?  The Grange  Started by Oliver Kelley in 1867;  Promoted education on new farming techniques;  Wanted regulation of railroads and grain elevators.  The Farmer's Alliance  Groups of farmers that got together to sell crops;  Wanted low interest loans from banks;  Led boycotts– included African Americans. FARMERS ORGANIZE AND SEEK CHANGE

 How did the Populist Party begin?  Farmer’s Alliances joined together to form the Populist Party.  What were the goals of the party?  Coinage of silver to combat low prices;  Government ownership of railroads;  Wanted to end corruption in gov.  What was the collective term for their goals?  Omaha Platform THE POPULIST PARTY DEMANDS REFORM

 What is the 'Cross of Gold' Speech?  Speech given by William Jennings Bryan at 1896 Democratic National Convention;  Depicted the U.S. as suffering being tied to a ‘cross of gold’.  How was the election of 1896 different from previous elections?  William Jennings Bryan used ‘whistle stops’– stops across the U.S. in various towns;  More money was poured into this election than ever before– and most of it went to McKinley. ECONOMIC CRISIS AND POPULISM’S DECLINE

 The lack of support from what group hurt the Populists?  Urban workers– too afraid to vote against their boss’ candidate.  What happened to the Populist Party? Did any of the goals they had hoped for come to fruition?  Declined in popularity after the 1896 election;  Many of their goals came to fruition in future decades. POPULISM’S LEGACY

 What is a political machine?  Local group that controlled a political party’s activities  Offered services to voters in exchange for votes  Jobs, housing, citizenship, food…  Example:  Tammany Hall  Democratic Party machine in NYC  Rose to power through the votes of Irish Immigrants LOCAL POLITICAL CORRUPTION

 What is a political boss?  Leaders of a political machine  Controlled access to city jobs, licenses, justice and police;  Once in office, could take advantage of patronage and graft– people giving them money in exchange for rewards.  Example:  Boss Tweed– leader of NYC’s Tammany Hall LOCAL POLITICAL CORRUPTION

BENEFITS OF POLITICAL MACHINES - provide services to immigrants (who no one cared about) - encourage people to vote

NEGATIVES OF POLITICAL MACHINES -accepted bribes -corrupt -NOT democratic-- rigged elections

WHO TAKES ON THE POLITICAL MACHINES?  Thomas Nast: political cartoonist, nativist, anti-Irish, anti-Catholic  Tweed offers him $500,000 to stop drawing anti- Tammany cartoons  Ultimately brings down the political machine