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    Farmers faced many economic hardships in the late 19th century, including falling crop prices, high debts, and exploitative railroad rates. Several groups organized to advocate for farmers' interests, most notably the Grange in 1867 and the Farmers' Alliance in the 1880s. In 1892, the Populist Party was formed and won over one million votes, attracting supporters with demands such as regulating railroads, expanding silver currency, and limiting immigration. In 1896, the Populists supported William Jennings Bryan, who favored silver-backed currency and farmers over big business, but Bryan ultimately lost the election despite carrying much of the South and West.

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    Farmers faced many economic hardships in the late 19th century, including falling crop prices, high debts, and exploitative railroad rates. Several groups organized to advocate for farmers' interests, most notably the Grange in 1867 and the Farmers' Alliance in the 1880s. In 1892, the Populist Party was formed and won over one million votes, attracting supporters with demands such as regulating railroads, expanding silver currency, and limiting immigration. In 1896, the Populists supported William Jennings Bryan, who favored silver-backed currency and farmers over big business, but Bryan ultimately lost the election despite carrying much of the South and West.

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    33 views9 pages

    Farmers and Populism

    Uploaded by

    api-705127711
    Farmers faced many economic hardships in the late 19th century, including falling crop prices, high debts, and exploitative railroad rates. Several groups organized to advocate for farmers' interests, most notably the Grange in 1867 and the Farmers' Alliance in the 1880s. In 1892, the Populist Party was formed and won over one million votes, attracting supporters with demands such as regulating railroads, expanding silver currency, and limiting immigration. In 1896, the Populists supported William Jennings Bryan, who favored silver-backed currency and farmers over big business, but Bryan ultimately lost the election despite carrying much of the South and West.

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    of 9

    HOW DID FARMERS ACQUIRE

    LAND?
    ▪ Many people gained land through the 1862
    ____________
    Homestead Act (160 acres for $18)
    ▪ Farmers were required to “improve” and live on the
    land
    ▪ Dawes Act, What happens if Native tribes do not claim
    land?
    ▪ Railroads got land from the ____________,
    Government and sold this
    Farmers.
    land to ____________
    ▪ ________
    Morrill Act 1862 gives federal land to states and
    establishes public universities
    FARMERS FACE MANY
    PROBLEMS
    ▪ Crop prices fell

    ▪ Farmers had no cash, went further into


    debt, and their lenders foreclosed on
    their mortgages

    ▪ The railroad companies


    charged outrageous
    prices to ship crops (no
    regulation)
    FARMERS’ DEMANDS

    ▪ Regulate the ___________


    Railroad companies (Stop them
    from charging such high rates)
    ▪ Reduce Tariffs
    ▪ Constitutional demands: Direct election of
    _________,
    Senators Women’s suffrage
    ▪ Make cash more available (back the dollar with
    _________,
    Silver not gold, so dollar would be worth
    less)
    ▪ To get industrial workers to support them:
    Immigration
    8-hour workday, restrict ____________.
    DIFFERENT GROUPS
    REPRESENTING FARMER’S
    INTERESTS
    ▪ 1867: The Patrons of Husbandry
    (The Grange)
    ▪ “I Pay for All”
    ▪ 1880s: Farmers’ Alliance and Colored
    Farmers’ National Alliance
    ▪ Focused on Agricultural education to
    keep farmers informed
    ▪ 1892: Birth of the Populist, or
    People’s Party
    1892 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
    POPULIST CANDIDATE WON OVER
    ONE MILLION VOTES
    1896 ELECTION
    Democrats- 1890s Republicans- 1890s
    ▪Southerners ▪Northerners
    ▪Wealthy farmers ▪Wealthy businessmen
    ▪Supported low tariffs (connected to the railroad)
    (wanted other countries to ▪Southern Black Americans
    buy their crops) (poor farmers)
    ▪Supported high tariffs (didn’t
    want to compete with other
    countries’ products)
    1896 ELECTION
    ▪ Populists decide to improve their chances by supporting
    the Democratic candidate, William Jennings Bryan,
    who agreed to support the silver-backed dollar.
    ▪ Nicknamed “the Great Commoner” because he
    favored poor farmers over large corporations
    ▪ Started political career in the House of
    Representatives in 1890
    ▪ Backed many Progressive causes; such as the
    direct election of senators, the adoption of the
    income tax, Prohibition, and women’s suffrage
    ▪ Named Secretary of State in 1913- committed to
    keeping peace before World War I broke out
    1896 ELECTION: BRYAN LOSES
    BUT CARRIES MOST OF THE
    SOUTH AND WEST
    How does the
    Populist Party attract
    millions of
    supporters?

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