Fire on the PlainsThe Populist Movement

Focus QuestionWhat is the best way to correct

wrongs in society?

Homestead Act of 1862Claim 160 acres of public land

◦Agree to work the land for 5 years◦Build a house 12 by 14◦Gained land for

a $10 title fee◦Could buy land early

for $1.25 an acre

EligibilityAdult male heads of household

eligibleMust be a citizen or plan to

become oneOriginally could not have served

in Confederate Army (amended)

Difficult LifeFaced hardships

◦ Far from neighbors◦ Arid conditions◦ Faced numerous pests◦ Lacked many comforts

ResultHelped populate the westMore than 1.6 million applications

processedMore than 270 million acres

grantedMore than 60% failed

Roots of the People’s Party

The Closing of the Frontier1890 Census found that there

was no longer an “unbroken line of settlement”

Idea spread that “free land”was going away

Forced a re-thinking of the future of the U.S.

Growth of Industrial AgricultureAgriculture flowed to the

industrial worldUnhealthy situation for marginal

farmerEconomic hardship of the 1880s

Abuses of the RailroadsRailroad monopolies threatened

farmers◦Sought escape from business

policies◦Captured by the rail.

Prompted other reform groups◦The Grange◦The Farmers Alliance

Reforms ProposedGrangers Laws in the Midwest

◦Regulation of the railroads◦Removed rebates◦Required publication of rate changes◦Declared constitutional in Munn v.

Illinois 1877◦State regulations restricted in

Wabash v. Illinois 1886Became part of the Interstate

Commerce Act of 1886

Formation of the People’s PartyFarmers established a new political party

in 1890◦Promoted the needs and views of the “People”◦Farmers and Labor

Called for an adjustment of the system◦Regulation and national ownership of

railroads◦National ownership of banks◦The Income Tax◦Direct Election of Senators◦Currency based on silver