Agraian Discontent I The Plight of Farmers Farmers

Agraian Discontent

I. The Plight of Farmers �Farmers struggled due to overproduction of crops �Farmers became entangled in web of debt �Railroads charged farmers high shipping rates

II. The Granger Movement �Grange: formed by Oliver Kelley (1867) �Pooled farmers resources to set up mills, banks, to aid farmers �Granger laws – regulate transportation and storage rate �Munn v. Illinois (1877) railroads must submit to being controlled by the public for common good. �Wabash Railway –court ruled states did not have the power to regulate interstate traffic �Decline in 1870’s lack of money

III. Interstate Commerce Act �First federal law to regulate interstate commerce �Railroads must be reasonable and just and set up ICC �Courts sided with railroads

Rise and Fall of Populism �The Greenback Movement �Farmers wanted an increase in the money supply which decreased the value of the dollar �Expand money supply by allowing silver into currency �Businesses opposed the plan; with high dollar value people would get more for their dollar

I. Populism �Formed out of the Alliance movement �Wanted free coinage of silver, federal ownership of railroads, telephone, direct election of senators �Election of 1892 received 8% of popular vote

�The Silver Crusade �Free silver meant the end of special privileges for the rich and the return of government to the people. �Free silver became the populist battle cry. �Democratic Convention �Divided over Gold and Silver �Nominated William Jennings Bryan – “Cross of Gold Speech” supported silver

�Election of 1896 �Republican – William Mc. Kinley support business and high tariffs. “Front Porch” campaign �Democrats – William Jennings Bryan traveled the country �Mc. Kinley won by 600, 000 popular votes �Republican party emerges as the party of prosperity