LESSON 2 The Tillman Era Unhappy Farmers Although

LESSON 2 The Tillman Era

Unhappy Farmers • Although technology and new machinery had improved farming and made farms more productive, farmers struggled in the late 1800 s. Why? • How were their struggles a problem of “basic economics”?

Unhappy Farmers An Economic Problem Overproduction Increased Debt & Bankruptcy Low Prices Crop Surplus (too much supply) Foreign competition Low Demand

This 1904 photo shows one of the few rice plantations to survive the hurricanes that struck the lowcounty in the late 1800 s. How could the weather severely impact a farmer or sharecropper’s livelihood?

Farmers Address Economic Troubles Farmers Organize The Grange • Founded in 1867 • How did labor unions influence farmers? • Major goal: help farmers improve their lives • Work together to sell crops & improve agricultural education The Farmers’ Alliance • Replaced the Grange • Active in politics • Wanted gov’t to have more control of railroads • Wanted banks to lower interest rates • Political successes in Texas and Georgia • In SC, there were separate Alliances for black farmers and white farmers

Farmers Organize A New National Party • The Populist, or People’s, Party wanted: o Government control of the railroad, telegraph, telephone, and bank industries o Increase in the money supply o An income tax o A reduction in the tariff o Direct election of senators o A subtreasury system o An 8 -hour workday for factory workers • Why were their ideas considered extreme?

The caption reads: “In battle array, —and there’s not much doubt about the result. ”

The 1892 Presidential Election • Populist candidate James Weaver did surprisingly well even though he did not win. • What gains did the Populists make in other elections? • Why did many South Carolina farmers not support the Populists? • The Populist Party faded after the election of William Mc. Kinley in 1896. Many of their reforms would be taken up by a new movement.

The Rise of “The Pitchfork” Ben Tillman • Ben Tillman was a farmer who wanted South Carolina to prosper. • He blamed Bourbon Democrats for many of the state’s problems, particularly the problems of farmers. • Tillman and his followers were Democrats known as “The Reformers. ” • Tillman wanted farmers to learn more about agriculture and the scientific aspects of the trade. • He thought the only way to really make a difference for the farmers and economy was to run for governor.

Tillman Becomes Governor • Tillman had a landslide victory over A. C. Haskell in the 1890 governor’s race. • Additionally, his supporters, called “Tillmanites, ” won control of the General Assembly. • Rather than pursue promised reforms, Tillman and his followers focused on punishing their enemies — Bourbon Democrats and African Americans.

Tillman’s Accomplishments • Improved education across the state. o Helped establish Clemson Agricultural & Mechanical College. o Supported creation of the Winthrop Training School for women. It is now known as Winthrop College in Rock Hill. • Supported railroad regulations. • Limited work hours for textile operatives. • Refinanced the state’s debt. • Cut costs by decreasing state salaries.

Tillman as Governor The Dispensary • Why did Governor Tillman create the Dispensary? • Why did he see it as one of his greatest achievements? • How did many South Carolinians feel about prohibition and the Dispensary? Why? • What led to the downfall of the Dispensary?

Tillman Becomes a US Senator • After serving two terms, Tillman turned his attention to the US Senate. • Using his political connections, Tillman persuaded the General Assembly to vote Wade Hampton out as Senator. Tillman was nominated and elected soon after. • After Tillman became a US Senator, he used his influence to restore white supremacy in South Carolina by rewriting the state constitution.

South Carolina’s 1895 Constitution • Tillman and 160 county representatives met in Columbia for a constitutional convention. • Tillman’s main goal was to strip African Americans of any remaining political power they had gained during Reconstruction.

The Constitution of 1895 Restoring White Supremacy • Strict voting requirements— o New residency requirements o Payment of poll taxes six months prior to an election o Literacy test o Voting rights denied to anyone found guilty of certain crimes, excluding murder • Women were allowed to own property and sign contracts, but couldn’t vote and were prohibited from seeking divorce.

The Constitution of 1895 The Rise of Jim Crow • In 1895, the Supreme Court ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson that segregation was okay in public places as long as they were “separate but equal. ” • The ruling paved the way for more segregation laws, more commonly called Jim Crow laws, throughout the South. • Jim Crow laws required black citizens to ride in separate railcars, use separate restrooms, drink from separate water fountains, and more. • The 1890 s saw unprecedented violence against African Americans, especially lynching.

Lynchings of African Americans, 1890– 1929 American Social History Project/Center for Media and Learning, “Bar Graph of Lynchings of African Americans, 1890 -1929, ” HERB: Resources for Teachers, accessed December 29, 2014, http: //herb. ashp. cuny. edu/items/show/1884.

The caption for this 1913 cartoon reads: “For the Sunny South. An airship with a ‘Jim Crow’ trailer. ” Do you think the artist supports or opposes segregation? Why?