Farmer's and The Populist Movement

US History

We are Farmers

After the Civil War, farmers faced numerous financial difficulties.

-The currency was changed, leaving farmers in the lurch with the rising cost of their loans.

-The price of crops dropped significantly.

-They had to pay the railroads increasing prices

-Railroads and merchants colluded to control grain prices.

-Banks and creditors charged high interest rates.

-Farmers were being squeezed out of their farms.

1867 The Grange Movement

-Under Oliver Hudson Kelley in 1867, farmers came together to form the Grange movement.

-Initially formed as a social group for isolated farm families.

-Soon, the farmers began organizing to fight the railroads.

-Farmers' Alliances began to form all over the country, which included supporters of farmers as well as the farmers themselves.

Populism

-"The Movement of the People"

-The populist, or People's party, was found in 1892 in Omaha, Nebraska.

-They sought to help farmers with their debt difficulties.

-Platform

-Bank regulation

-Graduated income tax

-Federal Loan Programs

-Government ownership and regulation of the railroads.

-Bimetalism

Wiliam Vs. William

-The 1896 Presidential election saw William McKinley vs. William Jennings Bryan.

-William McKinley supported the gold standard and was heavily funded by the robber barons of the day.

-He promised little government regulation on business.

-William Jennings supported farmers and bimetalism

-He supported the Populist platform.

-Gave "Cross of Gold" Speech

-William McKinley won because he had wealthy backers.

-Despite this, some of the Populist platform policies were insitituted.