Populism and the Wizard of OZ Farmers Complaint

Farmer’s Complaint Tariffs: 1. Raised price on foreign farm machinery. 2. US tariffs on

Farmer Protests l l The Grange- 1866, helped form a coop of farmers who

The Populists l In 1890 the Farmers’ Alliances formed the Populist Party and had

Presidential Candidate Bryan William Jennings Bryan was the 1896 Democratic Candidate and after giving

Link to the Wizard of Oz When Baum wrote the Wizard of Oz, he

In your notes, list the following historical concepts… l l l “Robber Baron” Farmers

As we encounter each character from The Wizard of Oz… try and match the

The Scarecrow l “if I only had a brain. ”

The Cowardly Lion l “big roar, little bite”, lacked courage

The Yellow Brick Road l “follow the yellow brick road” that leads nowhere

Dorothy’s Shoes l Originally silver in the book, these got Dorothy out of the

“Robber Baron” l Rockefeller and Standard Oil:

The Munchkins l “in bondage for many years, making them slave for the witch

The Good Witch of the North l Allows shoes Dorothy to take the Ruby

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Populism and the Wizard of OZ.

Farmer’s Complaint Tariffs: 1. Raised price on foreign farm machinery. 2. US tariffs on foreign manufactured goods lead to European tariffs on Farmers crops. l Monetary Policy: Farmers wanted an increase in money supply. Opponents wanted a tighter money supply l The Silver Question: Gold Bugs vs. Silverites l

Farmer Protests l l The Grange- 1866, helped form a coop of farmers who could work together for change. Farmer Alliances- networks of farmers that banded together to call for regulation of the rail roads, more money in circulation, anti-trust laws and farm credit. Government Response: President Cleveland “though the people support the government, the government should not support the people”. Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887: this act regulated the rail prices, and disallow rails from giving special discounts to some customers.

The Populists l In 1890 the Farmers’ Alliances formed the Populist Party and had the following platform: l Expanded money supply l Unlimited minting of silver l Progressive income tax: greater financial burden on industrialists and less on farmers. l Government ownership of communications and transportation systems.

Presidential Candidate Bryan William Jennings Bryan was the 1896 Democratic Candidate and after giving his famous Cross of Gold speech was supported by the Populists. l Failed to pull in American Factory Workers l The Cross of Gold Speech l Refer to the gold standard l You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, You shall not crucify mankind upon a “cross of gold!” l

Link to the Wizard of Oz When Baum wrote the Wizard of Oz, he made astute observations about rural life in South Dakota and urban/industrial life in Chicago. l Many have made the links between the movie, industrialization, westward expansion and the Populist movement. l

In your notes, list the following historical concepts… l l l “Robber Baron” Farmers William Jennings Bryan Industrial Workers (2) “Captain of Industry” l l l Gold Standard President Cleveland The “Everyman” American Free Silver Washington D. C.

As we encounter each character from The Wizard of Oz… try and match the earlier concepts to one of the characters.

The Scarecrow l “if I only had a brain. ”

Farmers

The Tin Man l “if I only had a heart. ”

Industrialists

The Cowardly Lion l “big roar, little bite”, lacked courage

William Jennings Bryan

The Yellow Brick Road l “follow the yellow brick road” that leads nowhere

The Gold Standard

Dorothy

The “Everyman” American

Dorothy’s Shoes l Originally silver in the book, these got Dorothy out of the land of Oz.