The Exodusters

1. The Exodusters • In the spring of 1879, word spread that the Federal government had set all of Kansas aside for former slaves. The rumor was false, but it sparked a genuine Exodus that brought more than 15,000 African Americans moving into Kansas within the next year.

2. “When I landed on the soil [of Kansas] I looked on the ground and I says this is free ground. Then I looked on the heavens and I says them is free and beautiful heavens. Then I looked within my heart and I says to myself, I wonder why I was never free before?”-John Solomon Lewis

3. The People of the Southwest • Mexicanos: Spanish-speaking peoples that already lived in the Southwest and lived in small villages • Anglos: White Americans who live in the Southwest

4. Hispanic-American Alliance • When large numbers of Anglos settled in the Southwest, they took the best jobs and land • Mexicanos fought back and formed the alliance to “protect and fight for rights of Spanish Americans

5. Oklahoma “Sooners” • The government forced many Indians to sell their land • The government told white settlers they could claim sections of the land on April 22nd, 1889 • Some people had already claimed the land, they were called “Sooners” because they snuck into the land too soon.

6. Hard Life on the Plains • Sod houses: Farmers used soil held together by grass roots to build houses • Sod buster: A steel plow that could break the tough layer of sod to the rich soil below

7. Dangerously Dry Climate • If too little rain, crops would die • If too little rain, the strong winds quickly spread grass fires • Grasshopper storms would destroy everything • Deep snows and heavy winds caused drifts that would bury families in homes and kill animals • Women made all house hold goods by hand

8. Crisis for Farmers • Prices dropped so farmers lost money on their crops • They formed the National Grange which accomplished two main things: • 1. Farmers put their money together to buy goods “wholesale” (large quantities) • 2. Grange leaders encouraged farmers to vote for candidates who supported farmers

9. Farmers Alliance • Farmers also formed the Farmers’ Alliance • It did some similar things as the National Grange: • 1. Set up warehouses and cooperatives • 2. Tried to bring black and white farmers together • 3. Tried to join with factory workers and miners who were angry at employers • 4. Helped form the Populist Party

10. The Populist Party (The People’s Party) • Made of farmers, miners and factory workers • Demanded government help with falling farm prices • Demanded 8 hour work day • Demanded income tax • Demanded limits on immigration • Demanded “free silver”

11. Success of the Populist Party • 1892 Presidential Election: The populist candidate received 1,000,000 votes • 1894: 6 populists were elected to the Senate and 7 elected to the House of Representatives • Populists wanted to have a Populist President elected in the 1896 election

12. William Jennings Bryan • 1896 Populist candidate for President • Called the “Great Commoner” • Made powerful speeches • Bryan narrowly lost the election, winning most of the Southern and Western votes • After his defeat, the Populists faded away

13. Influence of the Populist Party • Even though the Populist party faded out of existence, they still had a last impact: • 1. States passed an income tax amendment • 2. Workers got the 8 hour work day • 3. The West was more tied to US politics