Populist Platform 1892
Toward the end of the 19th century, a new third political party emergence from Grass Root America. It was known
as the Populist Party or the Party of the people. They allowed for all walks of life to join as long as you were will
to except their goals. Populist were convince that the rich industrialist and bankers ha a strangle hold on the
government and were able to produce policy that favored their interests and not the peoples.
Directions: Read the Populist Party Platform pf 1896 and compare it to issues from the Gilded and explain how
the agenda of the Populist Party wished to address it. Cite the location at the end of your summary.
Example: (Expressions of Sentiments – 6)
Problems during the Gilded Age
Money was tied to the gold standard. With made it
difficult for farmers to repay back loans.
There was no income tax at this time. The government
received all it money from tariffs (a tax on trade) and
the sale of land.
Large wealthy businesses own a major portions of the
railroad, telegraph system. These businesses hurt farms
because they set the prices to high.
At this time, state legislators chose senators. State
legislators were susceptible to special interests. Issues
in the major cities often address, but concerns in rural
area never were address at the national level.
Average citizen could not propose new laws and had
little ways of impacting the government.
If a new law was established, average citizens were not
able to reject or approve a piece legislation.
Elections for public officials were held in public
forums. This led to voter intimidation, buying
votes, and other abuses at the ballot
Industrial workers worked long hours. Some
workers worked 12-14 hour shifts.
How did the Populist Party want to fix these
issues?
(Cite the location)