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Farmers and Populism

Farmers and Populism. Chapter 12, Section 3. Farmers face Problems. What were the problems that farmers in the West and South were facing? Falling crop prices after the Civil War Rising debt Why did farmers blame the railroad companies and banks for their plight?

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Farmers and Populism

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  1. Farmers and Populism Chapter 12, Section 3

  2. Farmers face Problems • What were the problems that farmers in the West and South were facing? • Falling crop prices after the Civil War • Rising debt • Why did farmers blame the railroad companies and banks for their plight? • The railroads could charge whatever price they wanted; • Banks set high interest rates for farmer

  3. Farmers Organize and seek change • How did each of the following farm movements begin and what reforms did they help bring about? • The Grange • Started by Oliver Kelley in 1867; • Promoted education on new farming techniques; • Wanted regulation of railroads and grain elevators. • The Farmer's Alliance • Groups of farmers that got together to sell crops; • Wanted low interest loans from banks; • Led boycotts– included African Americans.

  4. The Populist party demands Reform • How did the Populist Party begin? • Farmer’s Alliances joined together to form the Populist Party. • What were the goals of the party? • Coinage of silver to combat low prices; • Government ownership of railroads; • Wanted to end corruption in gov. • What was the collective term for their goals? • Omaha Platform

  5. Economic Crisis and Populism’s Decline • What is the 'Cross of Gold' Speech? • Speech given by William Jennings Bryan at 1896 Democratic National Convention; • Depicted the U.S. as suffering being tied to a ‘cross of gold’. • How was the election of 1896 different from previous elections? • William Jennings Bryan used ‘whistle stops’– stops across the U.S. in various towns; • More money was poured into this election than ever before– and most of it went to McKinley.

  6. Populism’s Legacy • The lack of support from what group hurt the Populists? • Urban workers– too afraid to vote against their boss’ candidate. • What happened to the Populist Party? Did any of the goals they had hoped for come to fruition? • Declined in popularity after the 1896 election; • Many of their goals came to fruition in future decades.

  7. Local Political Corruption • What is a political machine? • Local group that controlled a political party’s activities • Offered services to voters in exchange for votes • Jobs, housing, citizenship, food… • Example: • Tammany Hall • Democratic Party machine in NYC • Rose to power through the votes of Irish Immigrants

  8. Local Political Corruption • What is a political boss? • Leaders of a political machine • Controlled access to city jobs, licenses, justiceand police; • Once in office, could take advantage of patronage and graft– people giving them money in exchange for rewards. • Example: • Boss Tweed– leader of NYC’s Tammany Hall

  9. Benefits of Political Machines - provide services to immigrants (who no one cared about) - encourage people to vote

  10. Negatives of Political Machines • accepted bribes • corrupt • NOT democratic-- rigged elections

  11. Who takes on the political machines? • Thomas Nast: political cartoonist, nativist, anti-Irish, anti-Catholic • Tweed offers him $500,000 to stop drawing anti-Tammany cartoons • Ultimately brings down the political machine

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