1. The Great West and the Rise of the Debtor
U.S. History Goal 4 Notes
The Great West and the Rise of the Debtor

2. Morrill Land Grant Act Passed in 1862
Gave land in the West to the states to be sold in order to fund colleges that would teach the agricultural and mechanical arts
NC State University is a land-grant college that was funded by land from the Morrill Act – that is why its focus is agriculture and engineering

3. Homestead Act Passed in 1862
Gave 160 acres of land in the West to settlers who promised to farm it for at least 5 years
Why do you think the government would want to give away free land?

4. Populist Party
Formed out of the Grange (a social organization for farmers)
Ideas dominated the federal elections of 1892 and 1894
Proposed policies aimed to help the farmer and the “common man”
Which of our founding fathers would have approved of their mission?

5. Omaha Platform PLATFORM IN THE 1892 ELECTION Gradudated income tax
Government ownership of transportation services (like railroads)
Direct Election of Senators
8 hour workday
Initiative: voters can initiate new ideas for laws
Referendum: voters can vote for or against new laws
And bimetallism
Which of these became new laws? When?

6. Populist plans for Monetary Policy
Gold Standard: all currency is backed by gold  you could literally turn in a dollar bill for its equivalent value in gold
Free silver/bimetallic standard: unlimited minting of silver coins; all currency backed by gold and silver  Why would the Populists want this?
Because it would cause crop prices to increase…i.e. INFLATION!

7. Munn v. Illinois, 1877 In Wabash v. Illinois, 1886 
Allowed states to regulate business (like railroads) within their borders
In Wabash v. Illinois, 1886 
Railroads argued that since they crossed state lines (i.e. interstate commerce) states could not regulate them… this overturned Munn v. Illinois

8. Interstate Commerce Act
Passed in 1887 to fix the problem caused by the Wabash case
Regulated railroad prices to keep them from charging high rates
Outlawed rebates  refunds to favored customers
Established the Interstate Commerce Commission to enforce the laws
Supported the idea that the federal government could and would regulate interstate commerce

9. Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce
Vowed to his father that he would never surrender his tribe’s land in Washington state
Though he fought the federal government, the Nez Perce were forced to Oklahoma’s Indian Territory
Chief Joseph is famous for saying, “Hear me chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.”