Farmers and the Populist Party By the midterm election of 1890 some people had concluded that the two-party system was incapable of solving the nation s problems. That conviction was strongest among farmers, who faced an economic crisis that developed in the years following the Civil War. 1
Farmers Face Many Problems Causes New machinery always needed to be competitive. Over production of crops due to new inventions, new efficient farm techniques High interest rates on loans from banks Lack of competition among railroads Money is in short supply High Tariffs Effects Farmers had to go into debt and payments on loans cut into profits and at times this made it impossible to play off the debt. Due to overproduction farmers got lower prices on the stuff they produced A large share of farmer s profits had to go to paying off the interest on their loans Railroads could charge high rates and the farmers had to pay them. Banks lend money to fewer farmer Tariffs (Taxes on other countries goods) set to protect northern businesses cause other countries to heavily tax American farm goods in retaliation. As a result, they bought less 2
Falling Prices and Rising Debt Cotton prices fell in the late 19th century. Corn cost more to produce than could me made selling it so many farmers burned it for fuel. Farmers were planting too many crops which made their prices go down. New machinery, seed, livestock, and other needs were costing more so farmers went into dept. Big Business Practices Hurt Farmers protested big business such as railroads and banks. Railroads = charging too high rates. Farmers claimed they were monopolies. Banks = Charging too high interest rates. Farmers felt like the nation had turned its back on them. 3
Here Lies Prosperity The wealthy lived extravagant lifestyles and considered themselves elitists. The common people resented their snobbish attitudes and wealth. There was a caste system in the U.S. 1861---------3 millionaires----------1900--------3,800 1900, 90% of wealth, controlled by 10% of population. 4
The Grange Farmers Alliance Populists Farmers Organize and Seek Change Local and state level Organized in 1867 in response to farmers isolation (Oliver H. Kelley) Helped farmers form cooperatives which bought goods in large quantities at lower prices. The Grange also pressured government to regulate businesses on which farmers depended. People s Movement Spreads The Farmers Alliance called for political actions that many farmers could support. The alliances won support for women s rights. Blacks were not allowed but formed parallel Colored Farmers Alliance. Becomes a national movement Farmers Alliances formed a new political party, The People s Party or the Populists. A national movement that was supported by farmers, the West and parts of the South. Populists would elect a presidential candidate in the 1892 and 1896 presidential elections. 5
The Populist (Peoples ) Party Founded by James B. Weaver and Tom Watson. Omaha, NE Convention in July, 1892. Got almost 1 million popular votes. Several Congressional seats won. James B. Weaver, Presidential Candidate & James G. Field, VP Omaha Platform of 1892 1. Purer democracy: more involvement of people Women s suffrage Direct election of U.S. senators Australian Secret Ballot Term limits for Congress 2. Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & telegraph companies. 3. Income tax 4. Initiative and referendum Citizens propose and review legislation 5. Restriction of undesirable immigration. 6. 8-hour work day for government employees. 7. Demanded free and unlimited coinage of silver 8. A single term for President & Vice President. 9. Sherman Silver Purchase Act 16 to 1 (16oz of silver equals 1oz of gold) Purchase silver from mines in the west 6
Populists Achieve Some Successes 1892 = Populist candidate James Weaver won over 1 million votes for the Presidency. Populists elected 6 governors, 5 senators, and 46 congressmen. 1894 Populists continue to expand and gained seats in state legislatures putting their ideas up for debate. 1860 to 1925 William Jennings Bryan was a gifted speaker, lawyer, threetime presidential candidate, and devout Protestant. Bryan made his career in Nebraska politics. Served in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1890. Defender of the small farmer and laborer, Bryan worked closely with the Populist Party. 7
Bryan's efforts on behalf of farmers and laborers (the socalled "common" people) earned him the title the "Great Commoner Ran for the presidency unsuccessfully in 3 elections as a Democrat. Known for the Cross of Gold Speech William Jennings Bryan's most wellknown political speech delivered before the Democratic Convention in 1896. Highlighted the Populist stance and his strong position on the issue of the "Gold-Standard." Attacked the concept that gold was the only sound backing for currency. 8
Argued the real business men were farmers, agricultural workers, miners and small town merchants. Demonstrated the true "pioneer spirit" of America These workers were all but ignored by a government that served the interests of big cities and large corporate enterprise. 9
William McKinley (1843-1901) Born in Ohio on January 29, 1843. Private during the Civil War and earned the rank of major in 1865. Served in Congress from 1876 to 1890 and became a supporter of protective tariffs. Elected governor of Ohio in 1891, serving a second term in 1893. 1896, the Republican Party nominated him for president. stressed protective tariffs supported the gold standard. Onto which box will the voter of 96 place his ballot? 10
1896 Election Results The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum 11
1964: Henry Littlefield s Thesis? 12
a. The Cowardly Lion = William Jennings Bryan b. The Tin Woodsman = eastern industrial worker c. The Scarecrow = farmer Wicked Witch of the East = Bankers Wicked Witch of the West = d. Dorothy and her "silver slippers" = the proposed silver standard e. The Yellow-Brick Road = the gold standard supported by financiers f. The Wizard of Oz = President William McKinley g. Toto = a small, black dog Populism s Legacy By the 1900 the Populist party fizzled out and most of voters who supported the Populists, returned to the Democratic Party. Some of their proposals became a reality during the Progressive Era such as: Graduated income tax Regulation of railroads More flexible monetary system 13