1. “We the People” Push Back during the Gilded Age

2. The Granger Movement

3. Goals of the Grangers (1860s and 1870s)
Organize Midwestern Farmers
Protest Discriminatory Railroad Rebates
Example of Lobbying (Special Interest) Group
Actions led to State of Illinois passing the Granger Laws- outlawed discriminatory rebates; 1st limitation to the laissez- faire tradition

4. Munn v Illinois (1876)- The Grangers Win!- Granger Laws are Upheld

5. Wabash v Illinois (1887) - Not So fast, remember federalism?

6. Rise of the Populist Party
Farmers and Labor Unions unite to form a third (minor) political party
Develop the Omaha Platform

7. Congress Reforms Government
Pendleton Act (1882)- Ends Spoils System and Starts Civil Service Exams
Interstate Commerce Act (1887)- ended discriminatory rebates and created the I.C.C. to investigate business abuses
Sherman Anti- Trust Act (1890)- banned trusts (type of monopoly)

8. Omaha Platform Wealth belongs to those who create it
Gov’t Own Railroad and Telephone
Minimum Wage and 40 hour work week
Limit Immigration
Graduated (Progressive) Income Tax
Secret Ballots
Direct Election of Senators
Coin Silver (Not just gold)

9. William Jennings Bryan

10. Cross of Gold Speech

11. The Wizard of Oz?