Power to the People
• Progressivism sought to bring greater
democracy and social justice to America
through the Federal Government.
• This was largely an extension of Populism.
– Progressivism is just populism that had
“shaved its whiskers, washed its shirt, put on
a derby, and moved up into the middle class.”
– What is populism? Where did it come from?
Originated w/ Farmers
• Increasing production, need for equipment
– Debt, foreign competition
– Depressions in 1873 and 1893
• Banks call in loans
• Farmers cannot pay
• What does the federal government do to help?
Tariffs
• Purpose: to protect against foreign
competition & encourage to buy American
• Reality
– Manufacturers raise prices.
• Farmers need this machinery.
– Encourages growth of foreign-based farms
• Does the federal government hate
farmers?
Money Supply
• Farmers want inflation. Why?
– What does the government do instead?
• Big political issue
– 1873 switch to gold standard (from bimetallic)
– “Gold bugs” vs. “Silverites”
– Farmers call for free silver – unlimited coining
• Bland-Allison Act (1878) – ineffective
• Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890) – short-lived
Farmers Helping Farmers
• Cooperatives formed to buy larger
quantities at lower prices (the Grange)
• Political parties form in 1870s
– Gain momentum in 1880s (natural disasters)
– National in 1891 (Populist Party)
• Inflation, graduated income tax, federal regulation
on communication and transportation (RR)
– (Interstate Commerce Act already passed in 1887)
• 8-hour workday, racial inclusion, anti-Pinkertons
Presidential Attempts
• 1892 – excitement, but lame candidate
• 1896 – William Jennings Bryan
• Nebraska congressman
• Very charismatic, great public speaker
• Toured US giving speeches
– Cross of Gold speech @ DNC in Chicago
– Both Democrat & Populist nominations resulted
• WJB could not carry industrial areas in
Midwest and Northeast
• McKinley wins
Populist Legacy
• Spirit of calling the government to help the
little man in the face of growing problems
around him
• Sets the stage for independent 3rd parties
to become involved in politics
• Both of these will carry over to the
Progressive Era.