Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
UNREST IN RURAL AMERICA
Deflation, low crop prices, and tariffs
hurt farmers.
populism: movement to work for
laws that would help farmers
high food supply + high export
tariffs = hard for farmers to
make a living
banks and RRs were not helping
with high interest rates and
shipping charges
Inventions such as this grain binder
made the food supply go up--and prices
go DOWN
Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
THE MONEY SUPPLY
Before the Civil War:
inflation: decline in the value of money, prices
increase
happens when more PAPER is issued without an
increase in goods for sale or gold to back it up
After the Civil War:
deflation: increase in value of money, prices
decrease
low prices hurt farmers, had to sell their crops
for much less
Different solutions possible, but no agreement on
which to choose...
A simple explanation of inflation and
deflation!
Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
THE GRANGE TAKES ACTION
The Grange: organization of farmers founded in
1867
pressured state legislatures to regulate RR rates
tried to create cooperatives: hold many farmers’
crops in storage until prices rose
all attempts fail:
RRs refuse to do business with “farmer unions”
Supreme Court says no state can regulate RRs
cooperatives not big enough to raise prices
A Grange poster
Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
THE FARMERS’ ALLIANCE
formed when Grange failed, 3 million
members by 1890
large version of Grange, had some
success with RR rates and pricing help
failed when they made loans (never
repaid) and were still too small to really
help
Logo of the Texas
chapter of the Farmers’
Alliance
Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
THE RISE OF POPULISM
Farmers started the People’s Party to fight for their
interests and attracted many supporters when a depression
hit in the 1890s.
THE SUBTREASURY PLAN
called for gov’t warehouses called
subtreasuries: farmers to store crops and gov’t
to make loans to farmers
also wanted: coining new silver, end tariffs, end
national banks, regulate RRs, direct election of
senators
seemed to be working in the South: 4 Govs and
40 Congressmen elected were supporting this
Charles Macune,
designer of the
Subtreasury Plan
Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
A POPULIST RUNS FOR PRESIDENT
populist candidates doing well out west too,
control 4 state legislatures
James
Weaver
BUT: most are not following through with their
promises
National People’s Party created, nominated
James Weaver for Pres.
called for subtreasury plan PLUS a
graduated income tax: rich people pay more
Most people stick with Democrats, can’t relate
to rural concerns
Convention ticket
Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
THE ELECTION OF 1896
Although William Jennings Bryan had the support of
the Populists and the Democrats, Republican William
McKinley defeated him.
BRYAN’S CAMPAIGN
Populists support him to avoid splitting
the vote
He is: 36 years old, House rep, powerful
speaker, in favor of the silver standard
Travelled all over, spoke everywhere,
VERY popular in the South and West
William Jennings Bryan
campaign flyer
Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
THE ELECTION OF 1896
Although William Jennings Bryan had the support of
the Populists and the Democrats, Republican William
McKinley defeated him.
BRYAN’S CAMPAIGN
Populists support William Jennings Bryan,
Democrat, to avoid splitting the vote
He is: 36 years old, House rep, powerful
speaker, in favor of the silver standard
Travelled all over, spoke everywhere,
VERY popular in the South and West
William Jennings Bryan
campaign flyer
Populism
What is populism and how did it affect the United States?
THE FRONT PORCH CAMPAIGN
Republican William McKinley stayed
home and invited people to visit
promised “full dinner pail” (more
jobs) for urban workers, gold instead
of silver standard, moderate on
labor issues and nice to immigrants
he wins because of urban voters
outnumbering those in the rural
South and West
A McKinley campaign promotional
dinner pail!