Populism:The Farmer’s

Revolt

Populism • Ultimate goal—to give more

power to the people, especially the common people

• Saw a struggle between the “people” and the elite

Mary Lease, “Raise more hell and less

corn”

Why are farmers unhappy?

• Decrease in value of their crops• Railroads charging inconsistent rates• High tariffs • Problems created by the gold

standard—farmers want bimetallism, or money backed by both gold and silver– “Crime of ‘73”

• Farmers organize to try and change things—Grange, Farmers’ Alliances, Populist (People’s) Party

Populist Party Platform• Government control of railroads,

grain elevators• Direct election of senators • Graduated income tax • Subtreasury • 8 hour workday• Free and unlimited coinage of silver• Initiative and referendum• Woman suffrage

Success of the Populist (People’s Party)

• 1892—– elected 5 Senators – 10 Representatives– 3 Governors – 1500 state and county officials

William Jennings Bryan• Populist/Democrat (sellout) • “you shall not crucify

mankind upon a cross of gold.”

• Runs for President in 1896, but as a Democrat

• Loses to McKinley• Took many Populist ideaswith him to the Dem. Party

Wizard of Oz• Can be interpreted as an allegory for

the populist movement • Ruby slippers originally silver • Oz=abbreviation for ounce, used to

measure gold• Dorothy—the everyman• Tin Man—industrial workers • Scarecrow—farmers• Cowardly Lion—William Jennings Bryan• Wicked Witch of the East—eastern

merchants, industrialists, bankers Wizard of Oz