Populism Story of Farmer Tony Farmer Tony u

Populism

Story of Farmer Tony

Farmer Tony u The west is settled, and Famer Tony has bought new farm equipment (industrial revolution). Because of the new technology, what is his biggest problem? (p. 470)

Farmers u Overproduction – Increase supply – Lower prices on market

The enemy: Railroads and Banks

Role of Railroads and Banks u Why did these farmers resent railroads and banks? (p. 470)

Railroads u Needed to Transport crops u Increased Rates = Excessive prices for shipping and storage

Farmers’ Situation Overproduction Price Decline Farmers’ Debt Grew (Banks and Railroads) Lost their Farms

The Battle Railroads

u According to Farmer Tony, What is the problem? (p. 471)

u To help fight railroads and banks, what organization at the local level did Farmer Tony join? (p. 471)

The Grange u Improve the social and economic status of farmers – fight the railroads and Banks u The Grange transformed into farmer alliances (Cooperatives)

What Laws did they pass?

Granger Laws and Court Cases u Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 – required railroads to publicize their rate schedules, and excessive rates were outlawed u u Initiative, Referendum, Reform = gave power to the people Munn v. Illinois (1876) – can regulate the use of private property when it is used in the public interest

u It is now time for Farmer Tony to join a political Party, which one did he join? (p. 473) u Which candidate did he support? (p. 474)

Populist Party u Political Party created from the Farmer’s alliance u Regulate Railroad u Bimetallism

What ideas do the Populist Support? (p. 473)

Omaha Platform u Government ownership of the railroads u Direct election of senators u Graduated income tax u Increase money supply u Eight hour workday

Gold Standard vs. Bimetallism u Populist – Support Bimetallism (gold and silver) – Inflation = increase in price of products

Supporters Gold Standard Supporters Republicans Industrialists Merchants Bimetallism Democrats Farmers Working Class

u Now that I support William Jennings Bryan for the 1896 election, what does he believe? (p. 474 -5)

William Jennings Bryan u “Cross of Gold Speech” – Support the mining of silver – denounce the gold standard

If they dare to come out in the open field and defend the gold standard as a good thing, we shall fight them to the uttermost, having behind us the producing masses of the nation and the world. Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.

End of Populism u William Mc. Kinley vs. Bryan – Bryan: 20 speeches a day, campaigned in 27 states – Mc. Kinley: Campaigned from his front porch u Mc. Kinley ended won the election – Populism

DARN!!!

Representation in the Wizard of Oz