Populism Populism Primarily an agrarian movement Farmers experienced

Populism

Populism Primarily an agrarian movement Farmers experienced hardships – Overproduction Technology increased production As Great Plains opened for settlement more areas were cultivated Prices went down – Unpredictability of weather – Tariffs made farmers pay more for American made equipment

Granger movement – Began in 1867 - mostly social gatherings – After problems occurred became more than social gatherings Developed stores, cooperatives, processing plants, and factories “Granger Laws”- attempted to regulate railroad shipping and storage fees

Farmers’ alliance – 1890 - 1. 5 million members – Made detailed agendas for action Strict regulations on railroads (pushed for nationalization) Monetary policies that would cause inflation – Made it easier to pay debts – Government agency that offered low interest loans Government run storage facilities

Populist Party “ The People’s Party” New political party consisting of farmers’ alliance, southern democrats, some labor unions, and a few small reform parties Believed that government was run by the industrialists – The gap between the rich and the poor was growing “Corruption dominates the ballot-box, the legislatures, the congress, and touches even the ermine of the bench [i. e. , the courts]…. From the womb… of governmental injustices we breed the two great classes-tramps and millionaires”

Populist Party – Demands Free coinage of silver End to tariffs and the national bank Direct election of senators Graduated income tax- Higher income = higher taxes Regulation of big business

Populist Party Had success in the South and the West Won seats in state legislature and U. S. house Won over many southern democrats Nominated James Weaver for President in 1892 – 22 elect. Votes (5 states) Depression 1893 – Repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act – Democrats split into two groups: Gold-bugs and Silverites

Suppl y Value Price s Inflation up down up Deflatio n down up down Money

Bankers Deposits Loans Money in bank Inflation (100%) Deflation (100%) $5000 $1250 - $5000 - $10, 000 - $2500 $ 5000 $5000 $2500 Utilities - $500 - $1000 - $250 salaries - $ 1000 - $2000 - $500 -$3000 Inflation (100%) Deflation (100%) $4000 $1000 Money Remaining $0 Farmers Income $2000 Mortgage payment - $1000 New equipment cost - $500 - $1000 - $250 Groceries - $200 - $400 - $100 Feed - $100 - $200 - $50 Money Remaining $200 $1400 - $400

Election of 1896 Republicans – Support Gold Standard – money supply based only on gold – Nominated William Mc. Kinley – Supported by urban workers and business leaders Democrats and Populists Unite – Democrats Nominate William Jennings Bryan – Populists decide to support Bryan Supported in the south and the west – – – Results Mc. Kinley wins Presidency Gold found in Alaska in 1899

– Populist Party never wins national support and eventually fails Ideas of the party live on and have become laws – Federal income tax – Eight-hour workday – Direct election of US senators – Abandonment of the gold standard