1. Changes on the Western Frontier Chapter 5
Changes on the Western Frontier Chapter 5
Section 1: Cultures Clash on the Prairie
Section 2: Settling on the Great Plains
Section 3: Farmers & the Populist Movement

2. Economic Crisis
Greenbacks – Paper money issued during the Civil War that could not be exchanged for hard currency (silver or gold).
Government began to retire greenbacks which caused the value of the money in circulation to increase.
Significance: Farmers were paying back their loans with money that was worth more than the dollars they had borrowed.

3. Inflation vs. Deflation
Inflation is when there is more $$ in circulation but the value of the $$ goes down.
More $$ Value goes
Deflation is when there is less $$ in circulation but the value of the $$ goes up.
Less $$ Value goes

4. B C A D Long Haul v. Short Haul Railroads Rate for the ABC Railroad
Rate for the ADC Railroad
Rate for AB Trip
Rate for AD Trip

5. The Grange Grange a.k.a. Patrons of Husbandry *Oliver H. Kelley *1867
*An organization to provide a social outlet and an educational forum for isolated farm families.
*Became a political organization to fight the unfair treatment of farmers by railroads.

6. Farmers’ Alliance
Members were farmers and those that sympathized with the farmers cause.
Sent lecturers to educate people about the issues
Mary Elizabeth Lease
Southern Alliance – largest
White Southern Farmers
Northern Alliance
Colored Farmers’ National Alliance

7. Mary Elizabeth Lease Famous Slogan: “Raise Less Corn and More Hell”

8. The Populist Movement Populism – the movement of the people
Populist Party (a.k.a. People’s Party) was founded in 1892
Members
Farmers
Workers
Those who sympathize with worker’s and farmer’s causes

9. Populist Platform Economic Reform 1. Increase in money supply
2. Graduated Income Tax
3. Federal Loan Program
Governmental Reform
4. Direct Election of U.S. Senators
5. Single Terms for President and V.P.
6. Secret Ballot
Labor Reform
7. Eight hour work day
8. Limits on Immigration

10. Populist Do Well
Populist candidates capture 5 Senate seats, 3 Governor’s Mansions, and 1,500 State Legislature Positions.
Populist Platform will eventually be revisited during the Progressive Era and ultimately will become the Democratic Party’s Platform.
It kept alive the idea that the government is responsible for reforming social injustice.

11. Panic of 1893 and Depression
Bankrupt Railroads
Wall Street takes a dip
15,000 businesses fail
500 banks close
3 million out of work / 20% unemployment

12. Silver or Gold
Central issue of the Election of 1896 was which metal would be the basis of the nation’s monetary system.
Gold Bugs
Silverites
Who
Bankers and Business Owners
Farmers & Laborers
Party
Republican
Democrat & Populist
What
Gold standard
Less money in circulation
Bimetallism
More money in circulation
Why
Loans would be repaid with stable money
Products would be sold at higher prices

13. Election of 1896 William McKinley – Republican
William Jennings Bryan – Democrat
Cross of Gold Speech
Bryan selected as the Populist Party Candidate as well.
McKinley’s election caused the collapse of the Populism Party.

14. Farming Becomes a Business