Farmers & the Populist Movement Slideshow

Farmers Face Tough Economic Times

  • Farmers in the west trapped in economic cycle due to falling drop prices,
  • During Civil War → Green Backs were issued ad could not be exchanged for silver or gold after the war.
  • This increased the value of money already in circulation, but left farmers receiving less money for their crops.
  • Farmers also hit particularly hard by private ownership of the Railroad and increasing shipping costs.
  • Farming became more commercial and depended on global markets, banks, and rail to get their product to market.
    • World production increased flooding the market
    • Less money forced many people out of the West due to loss of their farm

The Farmers’ Alliance

  • 1867- Oliver Hudson Kelley started the Patrons of Husbandry (aka The Grange)
    • Original purpose was to provide a social outlet and an education forum for isolated farm families.
  • 1870s- The Grange’s battle shifts towards fighting the railroad and high shipping costs.
    • Taught members and how to organize, set up cooperatives, and sponsor state legislation to regulate railroads.
  • Membership quickly grew to 4 million farmers, mostly in the South and West.

The Populist Party

  • 1892- The Populist Party is founded to represent the alliance movement of the South and West.
    • Demanded reforms to left debt from farmers and other workers and to give people a greater voice in government.
    • Increase in money supply through Bimetallism- coining both gold and silver. Silver was limited after the Panic of 1873.
    • 8 hour workday, immigration restrictions, direct election of senators, secret ballot, and a graduated income tax.
  • Elections in 1892- 5 senators, 3 governors, and 1,500 state legislators.

Panic of 1893

  • February 1893- multiple railroads go bankrupt due to the thin supply of gold within the federal government.
    • By the end of 1893- 15,000 business and 500 banks collapsed due to money shortage.
    • Another big depression for the country- one of the worst.
  • Silverites vs. Gold Bugs- Bimetallism vs. Gold Standard
    • Silverites- Favor Bimetallism (increasing money supply)- Southern and Western Democrats and Populists.
    • Gold Bugs- Favor the Gold Standard (maintaining money supply)- Northern Republicans and business owners.

#1- Farmers in Debt

  • Low crop prices led to debt
    • A bushel of wheat fell from 2.00 in 1867 to .68 in 1887
  • Deflation- not a lot of money available
  • Led to high interest rates and banks would not loan money to farmers.
Populist Solution
  • Bi-Metallism: switch to a gold/silver standard
  • Increase money supply and allow banks more opportunity to give loans.

#2- Railroad Price Fixing

  • Railroads overcharged farmers to store and ship crops = more debt.
  • Railroads gave industrialists rebates and reduce charges.
Populist Solution
  • Government control of railroads and telegraphs- keep prices fair and fixed.
  • Dept. of Agriculture becomes a permanent Cabinet member in 1889.
  • Interstate Commerce Act- railroads must publish rates (ICC- govt. agency in control)

#3- State Appointed Senators

  • State legislatures appoint Senators
  • Industry and wealthy able to control government and appointments
Populist Solution
  • Direct election of Senators- people elect Senators
  • Led to 17th amendment during Progressive movement (adopted 1913).

#4- Class Differences

  • Extreme income gap between rich and poor.
  • Farmers and factory workers in debt and facing financial problems.
Populist Solution
  • Graduated Income Tax (eventually led to the 16th amendment in 1913)
  • Income tax- tax on earnings
  • Graduated Income Tax- wealthy pay more (tax based on how much you earn)

#5- Corrupt Government

  • Politicians overly influenced by wealthy business owners.
  • Credit Mobilier Scandal- Railroads owners bribed government officials for loans and money that was stolen and not used for railroad.
  • Former General/President Grant administration
Populist Solution
  • One Term President- presidents only serve one terms (4 years)
    • 22nd Amendment- limit President to 2 terms (finally passed in 1947)
  • Ballot Measures- Many western states adopt direct measures by the people.
    • Initiative- people propose bills to put on the ballot
    • Referendum- people pass bills on the ballot
    • Recall- get people out of office

#6- Working Conditions

  • Workers
    • Low pay
    • Long hours
    • Dangerous conditions
  • Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
    • 146 sweatshop women killed due to conditions
Populist Solution
  • 8 hour workday for workers
  • Minimum wage laws will eventually be passed

1896 Presidential Election

  • William Jennings Bryan nominated by Democratic and Populist Parties
    • Cross of Gold Speech- supports the “free coinage of silver” (silverites)
  • William McKinley nominated by Republicans
    • Supports America remaining on the gold standard (gold bug)
  • McKinley wins the election and the Populist Party dies out, but its reform ideas are adopted by Republicans and Democrats during the Progressive Era (1890-1920)
    • Bryan will run for president 2 more times in American history (1900 and 1908), Sec. of State under Wilson

Populism and The Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was not intended to be an innocent fairy tale. Author, Frank Baum, a reform-minded Democrat who supported William Jennings Bryan’s pro-silver candidacy, wrote the book as a parable of the Populists, an allegory of their failed efforts to reform the nation in 1896. However, Frank Baum never allowed the consistency of the allegory to take precedence over the theme of youthful entertainment.

Wicked Witch of the East

  • Represented eastern industrialist and bankers who controlled the people (the Munchkins).

The Scarecrow

  • Represented the wise but naive western farmer.

The Tin Man

  • Represented the dehumanized industrial worker.

The Cowardly Lion

  • Represented William Jennings Bryan, Populist presidential candidate in 1896.

The Wizard

  • The Wizard represents politicians.
  • Seem all mighty and powerful but are really just like everyone else.

The Yellow Brick Road

  • With all its dangers, represents the gold standard.

Dorothy’s Silver Slippers

  • Judy Garland’s were ruby red, but Baum originally made them silver.
  • Represented the Populist’s solution to the nation’s economic woes (“the free and unlimited coinage of silver”) → Bimetallism

Wicked Witch of the West

  • Represents the railroads and the control they had over the populist supporters. Also might represent nature and the tough conditions for farmers.

Emerald City

  • Represents Washington D.C., where leaders reside and people look for significant change in their life.

Flying Monkeys

  • Represent the Plains Indians. Unable to find a home and struggling under government control.

Rainbow

  • Represents hope and often occurs after rain which was hard to find for the plains farmers.

Glenda the Good Witch

  • Represents hope and the decency of people to help others in a less advantageous position.

TOTO

  • Represents the prohibition movement as it is short for teetotaler.