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The Populists

Learn about the challenges facing Western farmers in the late 19th century, their fight against debts and monopolies, and the rise of the Populist movement advocating for bimetallism and regulation of railroads.

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The Populists

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  1. The Populists Farmers in the west have 2 problems:

  2. Debts Owed money for Land, machinery, seed, etc. Hard to pay debts since Banks and wealthy controlled $ supply Rich want less $ printed, only backed by gold-called “goldbugs” Farmers want gold & silver Used to back $ so more can be printed-called “free silverites” and bimetallism

  3. Railroads But most RRs run between states and need federal oversight. Were overcharging farmers to ship crops. Had a monopoly. Interstate Commerce Act Will be passed, but not enforced. Farmers want the government to stop this and regulate them They form a social/political organization called The Grange founder Oliver Kelley The Grange successfully elect local & state politicians to regulate RRs in states. Upheld by court case Munn v Illinois

  4. Populism • Members: Farmers, factory workers, the common “little people” of society • Wanted: Bimetallism, limited hours of work, gov’t regulation of RRs • Nominate: William Jennings Bryan to run for president Bryan’s Cross of Gold Speech

  5. Republicans Members: Many are wealthy powerful business interests McKinley poster

  6. Double Entry Journal • On your paper, create a chart with 2 columns and 5 rows. • Label the left column “quotes” and the right column “reflection.” • Pick 4 quotes from the Lease and Bryan texts. Copy them directly into your quote column. • Read each quote and reflect on it. Record this in the right column. You may • draw a picture • make connections to other media, yourself, or the world • Ask social questions pertaining to race, class, gender, etc. • Include personal reflections (I agree with this…, I wonder if…etc.

  7. Thinking Cards • The color of your card will determine your job for the text. • Yellow- express the positive aspects of the text • Red- express the emotions in the text • White- give neutral facts connected to the text • Green- write 2 discussion questions about the text • Black- express the negative aspects of the text • Blue- facilitate discussion and deeper understanding of the text within the group

  8. Now answer this question… Why were speakers like Lease and Bryan popular with farmers in the 1890s? Your answer should be in paragraph form, give 1-2 sentences of background info about populism, list 2 reasons why farmers supported Lease and Bryan, and include 2 quotes to support the reasons you gave.

  9. Populism & The Wizard of Oz Oz: ounces Dorothy: common people Wicked Witches: East-Banks, West-RRs Munchkins: farmers, miners, etc Yellow Brick Road: gold standard Dorothy’s slippers: silver Tin Man: factory workers Scarecrow: farmers The Lion: William Jennings Bryan The Wizard: President of US

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