U.S. Populism, Economic Reforms, and Labor Movements (1867–1900)

National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), 1867

Farmers' organization that pushed for cooperatives and political action against railroad monopolies and unfair rates; helped inspire early state 'Granger laws.'

Crime of '73

Populist/Pro-silver nickname for the Coinage Act of 1873, which effectively put the U.S. on a gold-based money system by ending the standard minting of silver; blamed for tightening the money supply and hurting debtors.

Greenback Labor Party, 1878

Political party that supported paper money not backed by gold ('greenbacks') to increase the money supply and ease debts; attracted farmers and laborers during economic hardship.

Farmers' Alliance (late 1880s)

Large rural movement (Southern + Northwestern branches) that promoted cooperatives, railroad regulation, and reforms like the subtreasury plan; a major precursor to Populism.

People's Party (Populists)

Third party formed in 1891-1892 calling for reforms: free silver, government regulation/ownership of railroads, graduated income tax, direct election of senators, and support for labor; peaked in the 1892 and 1896 elections.

Coin's Financial School, 1894

Popular pro-free silver pamphlet/fiction by William H. Harvey ('Coin') arguing that bimetallism and more silver coinage would help ordinary people and end depression; shaped Populist/Democratic rhetoric.

James B. Weaver

Populist presidential candidate in 1892; won over a million votes and several states, showing Populism's national reach.

Panic of 1893

Severe economic depression with bank failures and high unemployment; intensified conflict over gold vs. silver and increased support for radical reform movements.

Homestead Steel Strike, 1892

Major labor strike at Carnegie's Homestead plant; violence broke out, and the state militia helped defeat the union—symbol of management's growing power over labor.

Wilson-Gorman Tariff, 1894

Democratic tariff law that slightly lowered rates but included many protective provisions; added a small income tax, later struck down by the Supreme Court (Pollock case), boosting calls for the 16th Amendment.

Coxey's Army, 1894

March of unemployed workers to Washington led by Jacob Coxey, demanding federal public works jobs; showed rising labor unrest and pressure for government action.

J. P. Morgan, 1895

Banker who helped stabilize the U.S. Treasury during the depression by arranging a gold loan to the federal government; symbol of Wall Street influence over government.

Pullman Strike, 1894

Nationwide railroad strike triggered by wage cuts at Pullman; disrupted rail traffic until the federal government used injunctions and troops to crush it—key example of federal power siding with business.

Eugene V. Debs

Labor leader who led the American Railway Union during the Pullman Strike; later became a leading Socialist Party figure, representing growing radical labor politics.

Gov. John Altgeld

Illinois governor who criticized federal intervention in the Pullman Strike and later pardoned convicted Haymarket defendants; seen as pro-labor/pro-civil liberties.

Richard Olney

Grover Cleveland's Attorney General; used federal courts and injunctions against the Pullman Strike and justified sending troops to keep the mail moving—government alignment with business order.

William Jennings Bryan

Democratic leader and presidential candidate (1896, 1900, 1908); champion of free silver and anti-gold standard populism; fused some Populist goals into the Democratic Party.

Cross of Gold

Bryan's famous 1896 convention speech attacking the gold standard for 'crucifying' workers and farmers; became the rallying cry for free-silver Democrats/Populists.

Gold Standard Act, 1900

Law that officially set U.S. currency on the gold standard, ending major bimetallism debate; reflected business/financial victory after the 1890s turmoil.