9/10/15
Essential Questions:
Us. 12 – What were the characteristics and
impact of the Granger Movement and
Populism?
US. 5 – What was the currency controversy of
the late 1800s?
Populism A movement, primarily of farmers, in
the late 1800s that demanded
government aid for the common
farmer and worker.
“What you farmers need to
do is to raise less corn and
more hell! We want the
accursed foreclosure system
wiped out! We will stand by
our homes and stay by our
firesides by force if
necessary, and we will not
pay our debts to the loanshark companies until the
Government pays its
debts to us!”
- Mary Elizabeth Lease
1. Regulate Railroads: This
was the Populist’s BIGGEST demand
so railroads couldn’t take advantage of
farmers.
2. More Money in Circulation:
Increase the nation’s money supply =
Bimetallism
3. An 8-hour workday
4. Income Tax:
“Don’t Tax land. Tax Income!”
Solution to Debt Problem
5. More money in
circulation. How?
If on the gold standard
(def.)each dollar printed is back
by gold~
Discover more gold or
Use silver to back money
Solution to Debt Problem
5. More money in circulation. How?
If on the gold standard (def.)each dollar printed is back by gold~
Discover more gold or Use silver to back money.
Gold v. Silver
Who They Were?
Bankers/Businessmen/
Wealthy/Republicans
Farmers/Laborers/Populists
What they wanted?
Gold Standard – money
to be backed by gold
(Less money in
circulation)
1896 Presidential Supporters?
William McKinleyRepublican
Bimetallism – money to
be backed by gold and
silver (More money in
circulation to repay
loans)
William Jennings Bryan
– a Democrat supported
by the Populists
Why?
Loans would be repaid in Products would be sold
gold
at higher prices
Effects?
Deflation
- Prices fall - Value of $ increases
- Fewer people have $
Inflation
- Prices rise - Value of $ decreases
- More people have $
Farmers want to
add more money
into circulation
More money
produces inflation
Farmers want the
government to coin
more silver – “free
coinage”
With inflation,
prices are higher,
and it will be easier
for farmers to pay
back loans
The cartoon is trying to convey the bias that the United States government is showing in favor of the
foreign investors and the wealthy, who are in favor of hard money, at the expense of the average citizen.
This cartoon is important because it is an accurate and colorful representation of the continued and
growing outcry of the lower class for soft money and the party’s increased political prowess and societal
involvement.
“Having behind us the
producing masses of this
nation and the world,
supported by the
commercial interests, the
laboring interests, and the
toilers everywhere, we will
answer their demand for a
gold standard by saying to
them: You shall not press
down upon the brow of
labor this crown of thorns,
you shall not crucify
mankind upon a cross of
gold.”
- William Jennings Bryan
Us. 12 – What were the characteristics and impact of the Granger
Movement and Populism?
Populist Party NOTES Goes on
RIGHT SIDE!!!!!
US. 5 – What was the currency controversy of the late 1800s?
Gold vs. Silverites Chart Goes
on RIGHT SIDE.
What is the message of this cartoon? What aspects of the Populist
Party’s platform might appeal to non-farmers?