The Populist Movement and Labor Unrest Post-Civil War

Farmers' Revolt

Response to falling agricultural prices post-Civil War.

Sharecropping System

Locked farmers into perpetual poverty, especially in the South.

Cotton Price Decline

Dropped from 11 cents (1881) to 4.6 cents (1894).

Economic Dependency

Farmers increasingly reliant on loans and railroads.

Farmers' Alliance

Largest citizens' movement aimed at improving rural conditions.

Subtreasury Plan

Proposal for government loans using stored crops as collateral.

People's Party

Political party representing farmers and producing classes.

Cyclone Davis

Texas Populist orator known for his impactful speeches.

Community Organization

Populists focused on educating and mobilizing rural citizens.

Political Pamphlets

Used by Populists to spread their economic and political message.

Local Newspapers

Over 1,000 established to promote Populist ideas.

William Jennings Bryan

Prominent political figure advocating for Free Silver.

Free Silver Platform

Proposed increasing money supply through silver coinage.

Railroad Freight Rates

High costs contributing to farmers' economic struggles.

Bank Loan Interest Rates

Excessive rates exacerbating farmers' debt issues.

Agricultural Price Glut

Oversupply of crops leading to lower prices.

Economic Insecurity

Farmers faced threats of losing land and livelihood.

Political Insurgency

Populists challenged established political norms of the era.

Rural America

Target audience for Populist education and organization efforts.

Miners and Industrial Workers

Populists also sought support from these labor groups.

Cotton and Wheat Belts

Major bases of Populist support in the South and West.

Populism

Political movement advocating for the common people.

People's Party

Political party representing agrarian interests in 1890s.

Omaha Platform

1892 document outlining Populist Party's reforms.

Direct election of senators

Proposed reform for voters to elect senators directly.

Graduated income tax

Tax system where rates increase with income level.

Public ownership of railroads

Government control of railroads to ensure fair access.

Colored Farmers' Alliance

Organization for Black farmers advocating for their rights.

Economic inequality

Disparity in wealth distribution among different classes.

Political corruption

Dishonest or unethical conduct by government officials.

Agricultural education

Teaching modern farming techniques to improve productivity.

Tom Watson

Leading figure in the Populist movement from Georgia.

Racial attitudes

Beliefs and opinions regarding race and ethnicity.

Common grievances

Shared issues faced by different social groups.

Federal government regulation

Government oversight to ensure fair market practices.

Labor unions

Organizations formed by workers to protect their rights.

National market

Unified economic space for trade across the country.

Modern scientific methods

Innovative techniques in farming to enhance efficiency.

Political expression

Manifestation of political beliefs through actions or statements.

Colossal fortunes

Extremely large amounts of wealth accumulated by few.

Social conditions of freedom

Circumstances necessary for individuals to exercise liberties.

Black-white alliance

Coalition between Black and white farmers for common goals.

Farmers' Alliance

Group advocating for farmers' rights and interests.

Race Antagonism

Division exploiting racial differences for economic gain.

Populist Appeal

Attraction of diverse groups to reform-oriented politics.

Second Reconstruction

Revival of Black political power in North Carolina.

Democratic Tactics

Methods used to suppress Black voter participation.

Mary Elizabeth Lease

Prominent female Populist organizer and speaker.

'Raise Less Corn and More Hell'

Lease's famous rallying cry for farmers.

White Wage Slavery

System replacing slavery with economic exploitation.

Women's Suffrage

Movement advocating for women's right to vote.

Populist Strength, 1892

Populists gained over 1 million votes in election.

James Weaver

Populist presidential candidate in 1892 election.

Electoral Votes

Populists secured twenty-two electoral votes in 1892.

Lorenzo Lewelling

Populist governor of Kansas in 1893.

Abolition of Poverty

Vision of economic equality articulated by Lewelling.

Coxey's Army

Protest march for economic relief in 1894.

Pullman Strike

Labor strike against wage cuts in Illinois.

American Railway Union

Union representing skilled and unskilled railroad workers.

Federal Court Injunction

Legal order to end the Pullman strike.

Eugene V. Debs

Charismatic leader of the American Railway Union.

Martial Law

Military control imposed to suppress labor strikes.

Economic Conflict

Struggle between labor rights and capital interests.

Federal Troops Deployment

Government action to quell labor unrest.

Public Education Spending

Increased funding for education during Populist governance.

Eugene V. Debs

Charismatic union leader jailed for contempt of court.

In re Debs

Supreme Court case confirming Debs' jail sentence.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

Labor union focusing on skilled workers' rights.

Samuel Gompers

AFL founder advocating for business unionism.

Business Unionism

AFL's approach prioritizing negotiation over political power.

Freedom of Contract

Argument against judicial interference in union organizing.

Knights of Labor

Inclusive labor organization replaced by AFL's exclusivity.

Union Membership Decline

Decrease in union membership during late 1880s.

Populism

Political movement aiming to represent the working class.

Coxey's Army

Protest march demanding federal unemployment relief.

Governor Davis Waite

Supported striking miners against company police.

1894 Elections

Voters abandoned Democrats for Republicans amid economic depression.

Populist Vote Increase

Rural support for Populists contrasted with urban workers.

William Jennings Bryan

Democratic candidate supported by Populists in 1896.

Tariff Rates

Republicans' strategy to protect manufacturers and workers.

AFL Membership Restrictions

Limited to skilled workers, excluding unskilled laborers.

Homestead and Pullman Strikes

Demonstrated risks of direct confrontation with corporations.

Labor Solidarity

Knights' ideal abandoned by the AFL for exclusivity.

Economic Independence

Gompers rejected the Knights' goal for unions.

Industrial Workers

Populists sought to appeal to this group in 1894.

Electrifying Speech

Bryan's impactful address at the Democratic convention.

Judicial Injunctions

Legal orders used against striking labor unions.

William Jennings Bryan

Democratic candidate advocating for free silver currency.

Free Coinage

Unrestricted minting of silver money proposed by Bryan.

Gold Standard

Monetary system based on gold as currency.

Social Gospel Movement

Religious movement applying Jesus' teachings to social issues.

Populist Party

Political group representing farmers' interests in the 1890s.

Campaign of 1896

First modern presidential campaign with significant funding.

Mark Hanna

McKinley's political manager who organized national campaign.

McKinley Tariff

Protectionist tariff passed in 1890 by McKinley.

Dingley Tariff of 1897

Highest tariff rates in U.S. history implemented.

Gold Standard Act of 1900

Legislation affirming gold as sole currency basis.

Regional Voting Patterns

Bryan won South/West; McKinley won Northeast/Midwest.

Voter Turnout in 1896

Over 90% in some states, highest in history.

Industrial America

Workers and financiers voted solidly Republican post-1896.