•536-544
- Analyze several political cartoons
related to
the Populist or People’s Party.
- Explain the “Crisis” of the 1890s.

Inflation – period when prices rise
faster
than the value of money/wages.
Deflation – prices decrease
and the value of money
increases.
•
Inflation vs. Deflation
Inflation
M
= Amount of money
in circulation
V = Value of money
(purchasing power)
P
= Prices of goods
Deflation
Interpreting Political
Cartoons:


Interpret the meaning of the
cartoon.
Label and explain how the
cartoonist has used symbolism in
the cartoon.
The Crisis of the 1890s
• Severe economic depression caused widespread discont
among farmers and workers.
• Causes:
• Crop prices fell due to international overproduction.
• Bad weather.
• Debt overwhelmed many farmers.
Price Indexes for Consumer & Farm
Products: 1865-1913
The Crisis of the 1890s
• Response:
• The Farmers Alliance was formed and proposed the
following solutions”
• Cooperatives
• Easy Credit – Banking Reforms
• Subtreasury Plan
• Free Silver (inflation)
• Government Control of Railroads
Congress REJECTED most
of their ideas!
United We
Stand,
Divided
We Fall
 In 1889 both
the Northern and
Southern Alliances
merged into one—
the Farmers’
Alliance.
The Crisis of the 1890s
• Response:
• Third Parties grew such as the Populist (or Peoples’ Pa
James Weaver
William Jennings
Bryan
Leaders of the
People’s Party
(Populist Party)
“Sockless Jerry”
Simpson
Annie Diggs
Mary E. Lease
The Crisis of the 1890s
• Response:
• Third Parties grew such as the Populist (or Peoples’ Pa
• In 1892, the Populist Party organized on a national lev
Omaha, NE and ran James Weaver for president, ado
the “Omaha Platform”:
• Gov’t. ownership of railroads and utilities
• National Currency
• Free Silver
• Subtreasury Plan
• Graduated Income Tax
• Redistribute Railroad lands
• Direct Election of Senators
• Secret Ballot
This hostile
cartoon depicts
the People’s
Party as an odd
assortment of
radical
dissidents
committed to a
“Platform of
Lunacy.”
Coxey’s Army, 1894
 Jacob Coxey & his “Army” marching
to Washington with their “Petition with Boots”
The Crisis of the 1890s
• The Election of 1896
• Populists ran William
Jennings Bryan.
• Supported Free Silver.
Bryan’s “Cross of Gold”
Speech
You shall not
press down upon
the brow of labor
this crown of
thorns; you shall
not crucify
mankind upon a
cross of gold!
The Crisis of the 1890s
• The Election of 1896
• Populists ran William
Jennings Bryan.
• Supported Free Silver.
• Democrats ALSO ran
Bryan for president.
• Republicans ran William
McKinley for president.
• Backed by wealthy
Ohio businessman
Marcus Hanna.
• Supported tariffs
and Gold Standard.
1896 Election Results