On a separate sheet of paper analyze the political cartoon in at least 5 sentences of what you believe the author is trying

to portray.

Life for Farmers

• Social– Isolated

• Especially on the Great Plains

• Politically– Ignored

• Economically– Poor

• Costs increase, price of crops decrease

Deflation

• The buying power (value) of money increases– Prices drop

• Farmers take out loans– Prices of crops drop– Original loan amount remains

• Farmers want inflation– Prices of crops to riseWHY WAS DEFLATION BAD FOR FARMERS?

The Grange The Grange MovementMovementThe Grange The Grange MovementMovement

GovernmentPressured legislatures to regulate railroads Reduce Rates of services to send crops

CooperativesFarmers agree to charge to the same price rather than compete against one another

Failed- They were too small to influence business and Eastern businesses refused to work with them

What came from the Grange?

The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliances

The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliances

Begun in the late 1880s (Texas first Begun in the late 1880s (Texas first the the Southern AllianceSouthern Alliance; then in the ; then in the Midwest Midwest the the Northern AllianceNorthern Alliance).).

Built upon the ashes of the Grange.Built upon the ashes of the Grange.

More political and less social than More political and less social than the Grange.the Grange.

Ran candidates for office.Ran candidates for office.

Controlled 8 state legislatures & had Controlled 8 state legislatures & had 4747representatives in Congress during representatives in Congress during the 1890s.the 1890s.

United United We We

Stand, Stand, DivideDivided We d We FallFall

United United We We

Stand, Stand, DivideDivided We d We FallFall

In 1889 both In 1889 both the Northern andthe Northern andSouthern AlliancesSouthern Alliancesmerged into one—merged into one—the the Farmers’ Farmers’ AllianceAlliance..

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

1890 Bi-Election:1890 Bi-Election:

So. Alliance So. Alliance wanted to wanted to gain control of the Democratic gain control of the Democratic Party.Party.

No. Alliance No. Alliance ran 3 ran 3rdrd Party Party candidates.candidates.

1892 1892 800 met in St. Louis, MO 800 met in St. Louis, MO

majority were Alliance members.majority were Alliance members.

over 100 were African Americans.over 100 were African Americans.

reps. of labor organizations & other reps. of labor organizations & other reformers (Grange, Greenback reformers (Grange, Greenback Party).Party).

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

Founded by James B. Founded by James B. WeaverWeaverand Tom Watson.and Tom Watson.

Omaha, NE Convention in Omaha, NE Convention in July,July,1892.1892.

Got almost 1 million Got almost 1 million popularpopularvotes.votes.

Several Congressional Several Congressional seatsseatswon.won.

James B. Weaver, James B. Weaver, Presidential Presidential CandidateCandidate

&&James G. Field, VPJames G. Field, VP

Omaha Platform of 1892Omaha Platform of 1892Omaha Platform of 1892Omaha Platform of 1892

1.1. System of System of “sub-treasuries.”“sub-treasuries.”

2.2. Abolition of the National Bank.Abolition of the National Bank.

3.3. Direct election of Senators.Direct election of Senators.

4.4. Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & telegraph companies.telegraph companies.

5.5. Government-operated postal savings Government-operated postal savings banks.banks.

6.6. Restriction of undesirable immigration.Restriction of undesirable immigration.

7.7. 8-hour work day for government 8-hour work day for government employees.employees.

8.8. Abolition of the Pinkerton detective Abolition of the Pinkerton detective agency.agency.

9.9. Australian secret ballot.Australian secret ballot.

10.10. Re-monitization of silver.Re-monitization of silver.

11.11. A single term for President & Vice A single term for President & Vice President.President.

Bi-Metallism Bi-Metallism IssueIssue

Bi-Metallism Bi-Metallism IssueIssue

Here Lies Here Lies ProsperityProsperityHere Lies Here Lies ProsperityProsperity

Written by a Written by a Farmer at the Farmer at the End of the 19cEnd of the 19c

Written by a Written by a Farmer at the Farmer at the End of the 19cEnd of the 19cWhen the banker says he's brokeWhen the banker says he's broke

And the merchant’s up in smoke,And the merchant’s up in smoke, They forget that it's the farmer They forget that it's the farmer who feeds them all. who feeds them all. It would put them to the testIt would put them to the test If the farmer took a rest;If the farmer took a rest; Then they'd know that it's the Then they'd know that it's the farmer farmer feeds them all. feeds them all.

““A Giant A Giant Straddle”: Straddle”:

Suggestion for a Suggestion for a McKinley Political McKinley Political

PosterPoster

““A Giant A Giant Straddle”: Straddle”:

Suggestion for a Suggestion for a McKinley Political McKinley Political

PosterPoster

Election of 1896

• Republicans– William McKinley

– Supported Business Interests

• Democrats– William Jennings Bryan

• Supported labor and farm interests

Populists abandon their party and vote Democratic

The The Wizard Wizard of Ozof Oz by L. by L. Frank Frank BaumBaum

The The Wizard Wizard of Ozof Oz by L. by L. Frank Frank BaumBaum

What do you What do you see?see?What do you What do you see?see?

Dorothy represents the American people

The Scarecrow represents the western farmers(Populists)

The Tin Woodsman represents the eastern workers, victims of mechanization

The Cowardly Lion represents William Jennings Bryan (1860 – 1925):Bryan, a Democrat, ran for the presidency in 1896 and lost to William McKinley; thus Bryan had a load roar, but no power.

The Wicked Witch of the East

Represents the eastern banking interests

=

The Wizard of Oz

William McKinley (1843 – 1901)25th President of the United States(1897 – 1901)

Or the President

or

Oz

The abbreviation for an ounce of gold or silver

Your Turn

• On the white sheet of paper come up with either a political cartoon ad or a political based cartoon strip, in favor of the Populist Party

• You must include at least 3 references that the Populist Party stood forex: Government owned Rail Roads