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The Wizard of Oz. Language. Preview – you do not need to take notes yet We need to understand the following terms to glean from the reading what’s important Political party Platform Economic depression Allegory. To Do. 1. Flip your lecture handout over
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Language • Preview – you do not need to take notes yet • We need to understand the following terms to glean from the reading what’s important • Political party • Platform • Economic depression • Allegory
To Do • 1. Flip your lecture handout over • 2. For the following groups, write the group name, their goals, & the result • Ex: • Group: National Grange • Goal: regulate RR rates • Result: Interstate Commerce Act
Foundations of Populism • National Grange • Goal: • Regulate railroad rates • Result: • Interstate Commerce Act (reasonable rates) • *1st time federal gov’t passed a law to regulate industry • Farmer’s Alliance (1870s) • Goal: • Wanted gov’t to print more money • Farmers believed they could charge more if more money was in circulation • Result: • Led to the organization of the Populist Party
Populist Party • Aka: People’s Party • Alliance of farmers, labor leaders, reformers • Goal: • Bank regulation, gov’t ownership of railroads, unlimited silver coinage • Result: • Candidate lost in 1896 election • Issues faded as they were resolved
Notes continued • Flip over your handout to the front side & fill in the red bold definitions for the terms on your worksheet
Background • After the Gilded Age (economic prosperity) farmers experienced economic downturns. • Farmers wanted gov’t ownership of railroads and other industries • They were losing land to railroads & banks • Economic problems were blamed Pres. Cleveland’s switch from a gold & silver to a gold standard for currency
Populist Movement • The Populist movement was born of the farmers frustrations and their attempt to gain political change through politics • In 1892 the Populist party was formed and ran a candidate for President, with the following key elements of their platform: • A return to the gold and silver standard • Government ownership of the railroads
William Jennings Bryan • 1896 Presidential Election • William McKinley vs. William Jennings Bryan • Bryan – Populist candidate in 1896 • “You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” - Bryan
Frank L. Baum • Author of the Wizard of Oz • Moved to and lived in the Midwest during the late 1800s and saw first hand some of the conditions that the Populist Party was trying to deal with.
Dorothy Wicked Witch of the East Ruby (Silver) Slippers Yellow Brick Road Emerald City The Scarecrow The Tin Man The Lion Wicked Witch of the West Flying Monkeys The Wizard Glinda (the good witch) Toto Getting Home The Characters
Dorothy • Represented America--honest and plucky, kindhearted • She is lost and trying to find her way home
Wicked Witch of the East • Represents Eastern Bankers • Shows what will happen to them if they continue foreclosures
Taken from the WWE Represent the silver standard issue Ruby (Silver) Slippers
Emerald CityWashington D.C. – Where all of the problems are supposed to be solved
The Scarecrow • Represents the American farmer--thinks he lacks brains, but in the book he's quite shrewd and helps the journey to D.C.
The Tin Man • Represents the alienated working class. Once he was all flesh and blood, now they are just machines in an industrial age.
The Cowardly Lion • Courage (Baum himself) • OR William Jennings Bryan (1886 Pres. Candidate vs. McKinley) – “Cross of Gold” speech
The Wicked Witch of the West • Represent s the other opponent of the farmers – nature. • Killed by water = irony
Flying Monkeys • Represent the plains Indians who continued to swoop down and harass the Midwest
The Wizard • Probably Pres. Cleveland, hated for taking away the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Behind curtain pulling levers--machine politics controlling things. Only provides the heroes with symbolic rewards.
Glinda • Represents the Southern Populists • The answer is there all the time – realization of the importance of silver will show the farmers, and America, the way home
TotoProhibition Party (also called the “Tea Totalers”) a nickname: TOTO
Getting HomeTo get home, all you had to do was click the ruby (silver) slippers on the Yellow Brick Road (gold & silver standard) to get home
Reading • We’re going to read an article to find out what Oz & the Munchkins represent. • As you read, consider whether various groups (see next pg) would be for (in favor of) or against the Populist Party • Make a chart on the back of your notes (see example)