1. Farmers and Populism
What led to the rise of the populist movement, and what effect did it have?

2. Problems of Farmers Prices of crops fell Continuous debt
Rising cost of doing business—buying machinery, animals and seed
High interest rates by banks on loans
Felt big business and gvmnt were getting rich off of them

3. Farmers seek Change Group called “Grange” Farmers’ Alliance Goals:
Education on farming techniques
RR regulation
Grain elevator rates
Some states issued the “Grange Laws”
Set maximum rates for shipping and grain storage
Farmers’ Alliance
Farmers sold crops together—split profits
Got fed. Gvmnt to create a sub-treasuries to provide low-interest rates on loans
Also a Colored Farmers Alliance

6. Populist Party Started at grassroots—farmers
Ran at all levels of government
Goals (Party Platform)
Coin silver to fight low prices
Gvmnt take control over RRs to combat high prices
Successes
Convinced major political parties to take on views
United Blacks and whites in the South
Gained seats in legislature
Got 8 hour work day

8. Demise of Populist Party
Supported a Democrat during 1896 election—William Jennings Bryan
Bryan loses; Republican William McKinley wins
1900 election; McKinley wins against Bryan again
Populists couldn’t win support outside the South
Many populists went to the Democrat Party