The Populist Movement
Introduction
As you learned in this chapter, the presidential election of 1896 was one of the most
complicated in the history of the United States. Farmers in the South and West, represented
primarily by the Populist Party, called for "free silver" and sweeping reforms that would help
families hard hit by the economic depression. At the Democratic convention, party members
split on a divisive issue and headed into separate camps. Meanwhile, the Republicans ran a
campaign that simply warned against the radical ideas of Populists and Democrats.
Answer the questions below concerning the1892 Presidential campaign, 1896 Presidential
Campaign, the Populist Movement, and the Wizard of Oz and the parallels between the movie
and the Populist movement.
1. What do you think the above political cartoon is referencing? Why? Use specific examples
and details to support your response.
2. During the 1870’s and 1880’s, midwestern farmers found that earning a living was increasingly difficult
because
A.
B.
C.
D.
prices of agricultural products were increasing
railroad companies charged high rates for transporting farm products
agricultural output was declining rapidly
farm labor was becoming more unionized
3. Although the Populist Party failed to elect its candidates to the Presidency, some of the Party’s aims were
later achieved by the
A.
B.
C.
D.
adoption of the gold standard
elimination of racial segregation laws in the South
creation of a graduated income tax and the direct election of Senators
establishment of higher protective tariffs on manufactured goods.
4. -Free and unlimited coinage of silver
-Government ownership of railroads
-Graduated income tax
Which of these political parties first proposed the above reforms in its platform?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Republican Party in 1876
Populist Party in 1892
Bull-Moose Party 1912
Democratic Party in 1932
5. A common characteristic of third political parties in the United States is that they
A.
B.
C.
D.
tend to focus on one person or one issue
come into existence only during periods of corruption
have dealt mainly with foreign policy issues
have frequently forced Congress to decide Presidential elections
6. The Populist Party was important in United States history because it
A.
B.
C.
D.
succeeded in electing two presidential candidates
won control of many state governments
proposed ideas that later became law
achieved suffrage for African Americans
7. In the late 1800s, many business practices of the railroads led to
A.
B.
C.
D.
an increase in the unemployment rate
an increase in the demand for government regulation
a decrease in the demand for raw materials
a decrease in the variety of products available for consumers
8. In the second half of the 19th century, agriculture in the United States was transformed most by the
A.
B.
C.
D.
increase in prices paid for farm products
decline in the population growth rate of the United States
decline in demand for agricultural products
increase in the use of farm machinery
9. The Populist movement was most interested in improving conditions for
A.
B.
C.
D.
farmers
business leaders
African Americans
Native American Indians
10. In the late 1800s, the Granger movement tried to improve conditions for farmers by
A.
B.
C.
D.
lowering the rate of inflation
strengthening the gold standard
forcing railroads to lower their rates
making labor unions stronger
11. Which trend is shown in these graphs?
A.
B.
C.
D.
When production increases, prices decrease.
When production increases, prices increase.
When production remains unchanged, prices decrease.
Prices and production are usually unrelated.
Many people believe there is a connection between the Wizard of Oz and the
Populist movement. Match each person/place from the Wizard of Oz to the
Populism symbol it represents. Use only the letter! They will only be used
once.
A. Little people of society (middle class and below)
B. Silver exchange (YES they are red in the movie; this was done to make them stand out. In the original
book the slippers were silver. Remember the slippers hold the power until the end, because silver was the
exchange. Once back in Kansas they were gone, just as silver was overtaken by the Gold standard.)
C. Washington, D.C.
D. Bankers who have nothing for farmers
E. Farmers (no brains by society's standards, but smarter than given credit for)
F. Gold Standard in the country
G. Politicians (trying to be all things to all people)
H. Industrialization (doesn’t have a heart, but doesn’t hate either)
I. Northern businesses that could seemingly do everything well, and were educated
J. Nature (water kills and the farmers need water)
K. William Jennings Bryan
L. The idea of “change”
M. Level-headed, innocent humans
N. Plains Indians (Remember the mid-western view of farming, and having to deal with the Indians; they
were not bad people but could be swayed by good and evil.)
9. __________Yellow Brick Road
16. __________Winged Monkeys
10. __________Scarecrow
17. __________Wicked Witch of the East
11.__________Cowardly Lion
18. __________Wicked Witch of the West
12. __________Tin Man
19. __________Good Witch of the North
13. __________ Dorothy’s Slippers
20. __________Munchkins
14. __________Dorothy
21. __________Emerald City
15. __________ Wizard
22. __________Tornado