Fire on the Plains The Populist Movement

Focus Question What is the best way to correct wrongs in society?

Homestead Act of 1862 Claim 160 acres of public land ◦ Agree to work the land for 5 years ◦ Build a house 12 by 14 ◦ Gained land for a $10 title fee ◦ Could buy land early for $1.25 an acre

Eligibility Adult male heads of household eligible Must be a citizen or plan to become one Originally could not have served in Confederate Army (amended)

Difficult Life Faced hardships ◦ Far from neighbors ◦ Arid conditions ◦ Faced numerous pests ◦ Lacked many comforts

Result Helped populate the west More than 1.6 million applications processed More than 270 million acres granted More than 60% failed

Roots of the People’s Party The Closing of the Frontier 1890 Census found that there was no longer an “unbroken line of settlement” Idea spread that “free land” was going away Forced a re-thinking of the future of the U.S.

Growth of Industrial Agriculture Agriculture flowed to the industrial world Unhealthy situation for marginal farmer Economic hardship of the 1880s

Abuses of the Railroads Railroad monopolies threatened farmers ◦ Sought escape from business policies ◦ Captured by the rail. Prompted other reform groups ◦ The Grange ◦ The Farmers Alliance

Reforms Proposed Grangers Laws in the Midwest ◦ Regulation of the railroads ◦ Removed rebates ◦ Required publication of rate changes ◦ Declared constitutional in Munn v. Illinois 1877 ◦ State regulations restricted in Wabash v. Illinois 1886 Became part of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1886

Formation of the People’s Party Farmers established a new political party in 1890 ◦ Promoted the needs and views of the “People” ◦ Farmers and Labor Called for an adjustment of the system ◦ Regulation and national ownership of railroads ◦ National ownership of banks ◦ The Income Tax ◦ Direct Election of Senators ◦ Currency based on silver