CHANGES ON THE WESTERN FRONTIER

Farmers and the Populist Movement

WORDS TO KNOWPopulism- The movement of the people

Bimetallism- A monetary system in which the government would give citizens either gold or silver in exchange of paper currency or checks.

Gold Standard- Backing dollars solely with gold

POPULISM The Populist people were a group of farmers and

other western people who realized that they needed to make changes through a political power.

POPULISM PARTY PLATFORM Also know as the Democratic Party They help proposed economics reforms:

-higher prices for goods and services

-a graduated income tax

-federal loan program Governmental reforms:

-election of the U.S. senators by popular vote

-single terms for presidents and vice-presidents

-a secret ballot to end vote fraud The Party then elected 5 senators, 3

governors, and around 1,500 state legislators

THIS IS A GROUP OF THE POPULIST PARTY AT THE ELECTION OF 1892

THE PANIC OF 1893 At this time the farmers carried large

debits and loans. There were many railroads that went bankrupt.

When people heard about this they got worried and traded all their paper money for gold.

This caused many businesses and banks to collapse.

By late 1894 fifth of the work force was unemployed.

SILVER OR GOLD The country was split into the two political

parties. There was also two groups divided by who

wants sliver and Gold. The “silverites” liked bimetallism. “Gold Bugs” were people who favored the

gold standard.

SILVER AND GOLD

GOLD BUGS AND SILVERITES

GOLD BUGS SILVERITES

Who They Were Bankers and Businessmen

Farmers and Laborers

What They Wanted Gold standardLess money in circulation

Bimetallism More money circulation

Why Loans would be repaid in stable money

Products would be sold at higher prices

Effect Deflation :•Prices fall•Value of money increases•Fewer people have money

Inflation:•Prices rise •Value of money decrease•More people have money

WILLIAM JENNGINGS BRYAN Born in Salem Marion County, IL March 19, 1820 Nebraska congressman Editor of the Omaha World Herald Gave the speech “Cross of Gold” Vice-presidential candidate Arthur Sewall

wasn’t liked though.

WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN1860-1925

THE END OF POPULISM The end of populism ended with Bryan losing

the election to McKinley. All of the populist believed only in Bryan so

when he lost the election populism was done away with.

SOURCES http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay

.pl?index=b000995 American History Book http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_bug http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/

197060/the_populist_and_progressive_movements.html