farmers and the populist movement oliver hudson kelly oliver hudson kelly grange grange farmers’...
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Farmers and the Populist Farmers and the Populist MovementMovement
Oliver Hudson KellyOliver Hudson KellyGrangeGrange
Farmers’ AllianceFarmers’ AlliancePopulismPopulism
BimetallismBimetallismGold StandardGold Standard
William McKinleyWilliam McKinleyWilliam Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan
Farmers’ ProblemsFarmers’ Problems
Falling price of cropsFalling price of cropsMortgaged farms to continue farmingMortgaged farms to continue farming
Banks foreclosed on the farmsBanks foreclosed on the farmsRR companies were taking advantage of RR companies were taking advantage of
farmersfarmersRaising cost of shippingRaising cost of shipping
Reforms were neededReforms were needed
GrangeGrange
Oliver Hudson Kelly founded the Oliver Hudson Kelly founded the “Grange”(1867)“Grange”(1867)
Originated as a social outlet and Originated as a social outlet and educational forum educational forum
Grange members began fighting rr Grange members began fighting rr companies (1870s)companies (1870s)
Grange led to Farmers’ Alliances Grange led to Farmers’ Alliances
Farmers’ AlliancesFarmers’ Alliances
Groups that sympathized with farmersGroups that sympathized with farmersBegan to educate farmers on lower Began to educate farmers on lower
interest rates and gov’t control over banks interest rates and gov’t control over banks and railroad companiesand railroad companies
PopulismPopulism
18921892 ““The Movement of the People”The Movement of the People”Demanded reforms to lift the burden for Demanded reforms to lift the burden for
farmersfarmersGave people a greater voice in governmentGave people a greater voice in government
Populist ReformPopulist Reform
Economic ReformsEconomic ReformsGraduated income taxGraduated income taxFederal loan programsFederal loan programs
Government ReformsGovernment ReformsPopular vote for senatorsPopular vote for senatorsSingle terms for pres. and v.p.Single terms for pres. and v.p.8 hour work day8 hour work dayEnd of immigration restrictionsEnd of immigration restrictions
Populist Reform cont.Populist Reform cont.
Populists gained political officePopulists gained political office5 populist senators5 populist senators3 governors3 governors1,500ish state legislators1,500ish state legislators
BimetallismBimetallism
Panic of 1893Panic of 1893Farmers were overextended with debtsFarmers were overextended with debtsRR companies were building rr faster than RR companies were building rr faster than
the market could support the market could support Some rr companies went bankruptSome rr companies went bankruptStock market crashed in May 1893Stock market crashed in May 1893People began trading in paper money for People began trading in paper money for
goldgold
Bimetallism cont.Bimetallism cont. End of 1893 15,000 businesses and 500 banks End of 1893 15,000 businesses and 500 banks
closedclosed Brought the issue of the basis of the U.S. Brought the issue of the basis of the U.S.
monetary system into the pres. Campaignmonetary system into the pres. Campaign ““Silverites”Silverites”
Supported bimetallismSupported bimetallismGovernment would back paper money with both gold Government would back paper money with both gold
and silverand silverWould make more money, but would be worth lessWould make more money, but would be worth lessFarmers would be able to pay back loans at a lower Farmers would be able to pay back loans at a lower
cost to themcost to themBelieved it would stimulate the economyBelieved it would stimulate the economy
Bimetallism cont.Bimetallism cont.
““Gold Bugs”Gold Bugs”Favored backing paper money with gold onlyFavored backing paper money with gold onlyPresident Cleveland supportedPresident Cleveland supportedPrices would fallPrices would fallValue of money would increaseValue of money would increaseLess people would have moneyLess people would have money
Election of 1896Election of 1896
William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings BryanDemocratDemocratFavored bimetallismFavored bimetallism
This split the Democratic partyThis split the Democratic party
William McKinleyWilliam McKinleyRepublicanRepublicanFavored Gold StandardFavored Gold Standard
Populists favored BryanPopulists favored BryanDidn’t like his V.P. candidateDidn’t like his V.P. candidate
Election of 1896Election of 1896
Populists put all of their chips on Populists put all of their chips on bimetallismbimetallism
Endorsed BryanEndorsed BryanNominated their own candidateNominated their own candidate
McKinley had more business supportMcKinley had more business supportBryan went to 27 states making 20 Bryan went to 27 states making 20
speeches a dayspeeches a day
Election cont.Election cont.
Bryan lost by 500 000 votesBryan lost by 500 000 votesCarried the SouthCarried the SouthMidwest Farm voteMidwest Farm voteSome of the WestSome of the West
McKinley took the EastMcKinley took the EastRest of the Midwest voteRest of the Midwest vote
Feared bimetallism would raise inflationFeared bimetallism would raise inflation
End of PopulismEnd of Populism
Spent too much time fighting for Spent too much time fighting for BimetallismBimetallism
Did create a valuable legacyDid create a valuable legacyProved that the downtrodden could organize Proved that the downtrodden could organize
and prove to be a political power and create and prove to be a political power and create an agenda for changean agenda for change
Many Populist changes enacted in the 20Many Populist changes enacted in the 20 thth Century Century