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The Rise and Fall of the Populist Party

The Rise and Fall of the Populist Party. 1867-1896. Essential Question Why did the Populist Party attract millions of supporters?. Farmers’ Problems. Crop prices fell Farmers had no cash, went further into debt, and their lenders foreclosed on their mortgages

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The Rise and Fall of the Populist Party

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  1. The Rise and Fall of the Populist Party 1867-1896

  2. Essential Question Why did the Populist Party attract millions of supporters?

  3. Farmers’ Problems • Crop prices fell • Farmers had no cash, went further into debt, and their lenders foreclosed on their mortgages • The railroad companies charged outrageous prices to ship crops (no regulation!)

  4. Farmers’ Demands • Regulate the railroad companies (Stop them from charging such high rates) • Make cash more available (back the dollar with silver, not gold, so dollar would be worth less) • Constitutional demands: single term for President and Vice-President, popular election of Senators • To get industrial workers to support them: 8-hour workday, restrict immigration

  5. Different Groups Representing Farmers’ Interests • 1867: The Patrons of Husbandry (The Grange) • 1880s: Farmers’ Alliance and Colored Farmers’ National Alliance • 1892: Birth of the Populist, or People’s Party

  6. 1892 Presidential Election: Populist candidate won over a million votes!

  7. 1896 Election

  8. William Jennings Bryan • Democratic Candidate • Supports free silver • Endorsed by the Populist Party The “Great Commoner”

  9. William McKinley • Republican Candidate • Conservative platform • Gold standard (sound $)

  10. The Seasoned Politician vs. The “Young” Newcomer

  11. 1896 Presidential Election: Bryan loses but carries most of the South and West

  12. Gold Triumphs Over Silver • 1900  GoldStandard Act • confirmed thenation’s commitment tothe gold standard.

  13. If they lost the presidential election, why was the Populist Party considered a success? • 17th Amendment—Direct Election of Senators • Initiative & referendum • Australian (secret) ballot

  14. What happened to Populism? McKinley won Farmers economic conditions begin to improve. Populism dies but lays groundwork for future reform.

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