Ch. 18- 4 Notes

1. Ch. 18- 4 Notes Mrs. Manley

2. Farmers in Protest • Farmers begin to join together in groups and associations to fight their problems • Biggest problem- crops flooded the market (too much supply) with little demand--- low prices • Expenses are rising! ex)transportation, seed, equipment, etc.

3. Farm problem • Farmers blamed problems on: • Railroad companies (high prices) • Eastern Manufacturers (high prices) • Bankers- high interest rates on loans • Farmers borrow $- seed, equipment & other goods • After crops sold at low prices- not enough $ to repay loans = farm foreclosure! (lose farm)

4. Farmers Organize • National Grange- 1st farmers org.; self-help cooperative. • Offers education • Social gatherings • Cash-only cooperatives – buy at lower prices • Tried to limit RR rates • These cooperatives FAILED! (no $!) • Sets up next group- Farmer’s Alliances

5. Farmers Alliances • FA’s- networks of org. of farmers; educate, cooperatives- stores where farmers buy from each other. • Propose a plan to limit crops in market by govt. storing surplus which could be sold to repay loans • Fall apart….

6. Populist Party • PEOPLE’S PARTY! • Farmer’s Alliances join the P.Party • Populist goals- help the common good! • Populist goals: • Govt. owns RR • Free silver- unlimited production of silver $ • Election reform, term limits, secret ballots • Shorter work week; national income tax

7. Election of 1896 • Cleveland- opposes free silver • William Jennings Bryan- Great Commoner- like free silver • William McKinley- opposes free silver **WINS** • Populists didn’t totally lose! They were able to get: • abandon the gold standard • 8 hr. work day • income tax • election reforms (secret ballot & direct election of senators