Key Terms

2. Key Terms Inflation – the greater the amount of money in print, the less the money is worth  money in print =  worth Deflation – purposely reducing the money supply so that the value of each dollar increases  money in print =  worth

3. Key Terms cont. Money supply – the amount of money in a nation’s economy; the greater the money supply, the less each dollar is worth Tariff – fees on imported goods that discourage buyers from purchasing imports

4. Key Terms cont. Gold Standard – the government only produces a dollar if it possesses $1.00 worth of gold to “back it up” Populists – political party that demanded radical changes in federal, economic, and social policies Wanted to increase money supply Wanted silver standard in addition to gold standard

5. The Wizard of Oz is a story about change, renewal, and rebirth. • It teaches that with love, intelligence, courage, and a sense of community, people could build a good society.

6. Oz is Utopia With bright colors, happy people, and a brook which bubbles nearby, Oz is the possibility of a good and decent society after racism, gender oppression, and class inequalities are solved.

7. Represents Washington D.C. where political agendas were created. It was green since green is the color of money. Emerald City Note that the Yellow Brick Road led to Washington.

8. The Gold Standard • The value of money is linked to the gold supply. • Up until and after the Civil War, all dollars issued in the U.S. could only be backed by, and could only be redeemed for, gold. What might represent gold?

9. Yellow Brick Road and Oz • Yellow Brick Road represents the gold standard, a road that looks hopeful, but leads nowhere. • “Oz” represents “oz.” or the abbreviation for ounce, the standard measure for gold.

10. Dorothy • represents the quest for community • She personifies those who are still young enough to hope and to act to create a better society and life. • Representing Americans, who Baum viewed as good-natured, but naïve

11. Toto • Represented the Prohibitionist Party. • They were pro-Populist. • “Toto” is a play on the term “T-Totalers,” or people who drank no alcohol.

12. The Munchkins • The “little people” in America whose power had been taken away by big business and industry • The Munchkins were slaves to whom in the story?

13. What do these characters represent?

14. Farmers • Faced low crop prices, high machinery prices, and high tariffs. • Tariff - fees on imported goods that discourage buyers from purchasing imports • Midwestern farmers were very pro-Populist. They wanted to increase money supply by backing dollars with silver. • A silver standard would increase inflation and raise crop prices. Who represents the farmers?

15. Scarecrow • Represented the struggling Midwestern farmer at the turn of the century • In Baum’s version, Scarecrow rules Emerald City after Oz is dethroned. • Baum predicted that farmers would gain political power.

16. Industrial Workers • Eastern industrial workers were anti-Populist because they didn’t want their wages cut due to inflation. • Baum viewed these workers as victims who had become mechanized and dehumanized. Who represents the industrial workers?

17. Tin Man • Represented the urban industrial worker who was enslaved to heartless industries • In making the Tin Man rule the West, Baum predicted that industry would move west.

18. William Jennings Bryan • Congressman from Nebraska who ran for President from the Populist party in 1896. • A skilled orator--gave the Cross of Gold speech • Advocated heavily for bimetalism. Who represents Bryan?

19. Cowardly Lion • Represented William Jennings Bryan • Described as having a loud roar, but little else--Bryan lost to McKinley by 95 electoral votes • In having the Lion protect smaller beasts in a “small old forest,” Baum predicted that Bryan would return to Congress.

20. President William McKinley • The Republican candidate in the 1896 race for Presidency--ant-Populist. • Baum viewed McKinley as not being as powerful or wise as the façade that he put forth. Who represents McKinley?

21. The Wizard • The Wizard promises Dorothy that he will be able to bring her back to Kansas with a balloon filled with a lot of "hot air." Instead, it is the silver slippers, which Dorothy had all the time, that took her home. The Wizard's gifts of courage, brains and a heart are deceptions.

22. The Silver Slippers • When Dorothy walked on the Yellow Brick Road, it represented gold and silver coming together to increase America’s money supply. • In the book, her silver slippers are lost, representing the silver issue being lost.

23. Kansas • Represents the hard times of the country after the two great depressions of 1873 and 1893. • Aunt Em and Uncle Henry represent those who once had hope of a better community, but lost that hope.

24. The confusion is a cyclone is actually a hurricane not a tornado. • Dorothy's last name is "Gale," which is a very strong wind. • A physical manifestation of Dorothy Gale's inner struggle for self-awareness, the result of the 'gale' winds storming through her mind." The Cyclone

25. The Poppy Field • represents anything that puts people to sleep: • People lose hope and stop trying • People get comfortable in their lives and do not work for more and for other’s hopes.

26. Glenda the Good Witch • The Good Witch of the North, a pro-Populist • A mother figure to Dorothy • Role is to bless Dorothy in her journey, thereby making it possible for Dorothy to complete her quest.

27. Wicked Witch of the West • The Wicked Witch of the East represented finance capitalist who controlled the workers who are made small by the conditions of their work. • The idea is transferred as labor unions gained power; therefore, The Wicked Witch of the West symbolizes large industrial corporations move West to oppress “the little guy.”

28. Winged Monkeys • Showed Baum’s sympathy for the plight of Native Americans and Freed Slaves. • MGM turned them into Russian Cossacks because MGM was having labor problems at the time. • Notice Toto was afraid and sympathetic as Prohibitionists were the old abolitionists

29. The Oppressed • Baum saw these people as ‘slaves’ of the eastern banking and industrial interests. • How are each of the characters oppressed in US society?

30. Who Represents These Characters? • The hammerheads who were rooted to the same spot and used their head to knock down anyone who disagreed with them. • The beautiful China people whom every one stepped on and crushed. • The Octopus grabbed everything within reach and lots more.