Farmers and Populism

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

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

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

12. 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