Populism& the

Electionof 1896

Populism& the

Electionof 1896

What were someof the major

problems facingfarmers during the

Gilded Age ??(1865-1901

What were someof the major

problems facingfarmers during the

Gilded Age ??(1865-1901

Farmers and their Farmers and their ProblemsProblems

Farmers and their Farmers and their ProblemsProblems

Prices for crops were falling

Farmers had to mortgaged farms to buy more land and produce more crops

Farm land scarce

Banks took mortgages from farmers who could not make payments on loans

Railroads took advantage by charging excessive prices for shipping and storage

The Silver IssueThe Silver IssueThe Silver IssueThe Silver Issue

“Crime of ’73” demonetization of silver (govt. stopped coining silver).

Bland-Allison Act (1878) limited silver coinage to $2-$4 mil. per mo.(based on the 16:1 ratio of silver to gold).

Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890)

The US Treasury must purchase $4.5 mil. oz. of silver a month.

Govt. deposited most silver in the US Treasury rather than circulation.

This meant that silver supply wasn’t enough to produce the cheap money farmers wanted

Populism:An Agrarian

Revolt

Populism:An Agrarian

Revolt

Price Indexes for Price Indexes for Consumer & Farm Consumer & Farm Products: 1865-Products: 1865-

19131913

Price Indexes for Price Indexes for Consumer & Farm Consumer & Farm Products: 1865-Products: 1865-

19131913

Founder of the Founder of the National Grange of National Grange of

the Patrons of the Patrons of Husbandry Husbandry (1867)(1867)

Founder of the Founder of the National Grange of National Grange of

the Patrons of the Patrons of Husbandry Husbandry (1867)(1867)

The Grange MovementThe Grange MovementThe Grange MovementThe Grange Movement

First organized in the 1870s in the Midwest, the south, First organized in the 1870s in the Midwest, the south, and Texas by Oliver Kelley.and Texas by Oliver Kelley.

battle plan: teach members how to organize, set up farmers’ battle plan: teach members how to organize, set up farmers’ cooperatives, and sponsored stated legislation to regulate cooperatives, and sponsored stated legislation to regulate railroadsrailroads

Spent most time fighting railroadsSpent most time fighting railroads

Social and educational componentsSocial and educational components

Gave rise to Farmers’ AlliancesGave rise to Farmers’ Alliances

Succeeded in lobbying for Succeeded in lobbying for “Granger Laws“Granger Laws.”.”

Rapidly declined by the late 1870s.Rapidly declined by the late 1870s.

Supreme Court Supreme Court DecisionsDecisions

Supreme Court Supreme Court DecisionsDecisions

Munn vs. Illinois (1877)Munn vs. Illinois (1877)In Munn v. Illinois, the Supreme Court decided that the Fourteenth Amendment did

not prevent the State of Illinois from regulating charges for use of a business' grain elevators. Instead, the decision focused on the question of whether or not a private company could be regulated in the public interest. The court's decision was that it could, if the private company could be seen as a utility operating in the public interest.

Wabash, St. Louis, & Pacific Railroad Company vs. Wabash, St. Louis, & Pacific Railroad Company vs. Illinois (1886)Illinois (1886)

The Supreme Court reversed its position initially put forth in Munn v. Illinois, by holding that Illinois legislation enacted to regulate railroad rates interfered with the Congress's ability to exercise its authority over interstate commerce. States cannot regulate railroads, only Congress.

This decision ended the brief era of state railroad regulation. Congress quickly reasserted it authority by passing the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887.

GiftGiftfor thefor the

GrangersGrangers::

The The FarmerFarmerPays Pays

for All!for All!

GiftGiftfor thefor the

GrangersGrangers::

The The FarmerFarmerPays Pays

for All!for All!

The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliances

The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliances

Begun in theBegun in the late 1880s late 1880s (Texas first (Texas first the the Southern AllianceSouthern Alliance; then in the ; then in the Midwest Midwest the the Northern AllianceNorthern Alliance).).

Built upon the ashes of the Grange.Built upon the ashes of the Grange.

More political and less social than the Grange.More political and less social than the Grange.

Ran candidates for officeRan candidates for office..

Controlled 8 state legislatures & had 47Controlled 8 state legislatures & had 47representatives in Congress during the 1890s.representatives in Congress during the 1890s.

United United We We

Stand, Stand, Divided Divided We FallWe Fall

United United We We

Stand, Stand, Divided Divided We FallWe Fall In 1889 both In 1889 both

the Northern andthe Northern andSouthern AlliancesSouthern Alliancesmerged into one—the merged into one—the Farmers’ AllianceFarmers’ Alliance..

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

1890 Bi-Election:1890 Bi-Election:

So. Alliance So. Alliance wanted to wanted to gain control of the Democratic Party.gain control of the Democratic Party.

No. Alliance No. Alliance ran 3 ran 3rdrd Party candidates. Party candidates.

1892 1892 800 met in St. Louis, MO 800 met in St. Louis, MO

majority were Alliance members.majority were Alliance members.

over 100 were African Americans.over 100 were African Americans.

reps. of labor organizations & other reps. of labor organizations & other reformers (Grange, Greenback Party).reformers (Grange, Greenback Party).

Platform of Platform of LunacyLunacy

Platform of Platform of LunacyLunacy

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

Founded by James B. WeaverFounded by James B. Weaverand Tom Watson.and Tom Watson.

Omaha, NE Convention in July,Omaha, NE Convention in July,1892.1892.

Got almost 1 million popularGot almost 1 million popularvotes.votes.

Several Congressional seatsSeveral Congressional seatswon.won.

James B. Weaver, James B. Weaver, Presidential CandidatePresidential Candidate

&&James G. Field, VPJames G. Field, VP

Omaha Platform Omaha Platform of 1892of 1892

Omaha Platform Omaha Platform of 1892of 1892

1.1. Increase in money supplyIncrease in money supply

2.2. Graduated income tax-higher incomes taxed more heavily Graduated income tax-higher incomes taxed more heavily

3.3. Abolition of the National Bank.Abolition of the National Bank.

4.4. Direct election of Senators.Direct election of Senators.

5.5. Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & telegraph companies.Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & telegraph companies.

6.6. Government-operated postal savings banks.Government-operated postal savings banks.

7.7. Restriction of undesirable immigration.Restriction of undesirable immigration.

8.8. 8-hour work day for government employees.8-hour work day for government employees.

9.9. Federal loan programFederal loan program

10.10. Australian secret ballot-secret ballotAustralian secret ballot-secret ballot

11.11. Re-monitization of silver.Re-monitization of silver.

12.12. A single term for President & Vice President.A single term for President & Vice President.

Govt.-Owned Govt.-Owned CompaniesCompanies

Govt.-Owned Govt.-Owned CompaniesCompanies

1892 Election1892 Election1892 Election1892 Election

Bi-Metallism Bi-Metallism IssueIssue

Bi-Metallism Bi-Metallism IssueIssue

ThePanic

of 1893

ThePanic

of 1893

Causes of the Causes of the 1893 Panic1893 Panic

Causes of the Causes of the 1893 Panic1893 Panic

Begun 10 days after Cleveland took office.Begun 10 days after Cleveland took office. 1880s- economy grew too fast; 1880s- economy grew too fast; farmers and businesspeople farmers and businesspeople

overextended themselves with debts and loansoverextended themselves with debts and loans; ; railroadsrailroads grew faster grew faster than markets, than markets, went bankruptwent bankrupt. As a result:. As a result:

1.1. Several major corps. went bankrupt.Several major corps. went bankrupt. Over 16,000 Over 16,000 businesses disappeared.businesses disappeared. Triggered a Triggered a stock market crashstock market crash.. Over-extended investments.Over-extended investments.• Bank failuresBank failures followed causing a contraction followed causing a contraction

of credit [nearly 500 banks closed].of credit [nearly 500 banks closed].• Gold reserves fellGold reserves fell because people panicked and traded in their paper because people panicked and traded in their paper

money for gold, money for gold, silver price fell-silver mines closedsilver price fell-silver mines closed• By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million, people homelessBy 1895, unemployment reached 3 million, people homeless Americans cried out for relief, but the Govt.Americans cried out for relief, but the Govt.

continued its laissez faire policies!! (means Government did nothing)continued its laissez faire policies!! (means Government did nothing)

Here Lies Here Lies ProsperityProsperityHere Lies Here Lies ProsperityProsperity

Written by a Written by a Farmer at the Farmer at the End of the 19cEnd of the 19c

Written by a Written by a Farmer at the Farmer at the End of the 19cEnd of the 19c

When the banker says he's broke When the banker says he's broke And the merchant’s up in smoke, And the merchant’s up in smoke, They forget that it's the farmer They forget that it's the farmer who feeds them all. who feeds them all. It would put them to the test It would put them to the test If the farmer took a rest; If the farmer took a rest; Then they'd know that it's the farmer Then they'd know that it's the farmer feeds them all. feeds them all.

Coxey’s Army, Coxey’s Army, 18941894

Coxey’s Army, Coxey’s Army, 18941894

Jacob Coxey & his “Army of Jacob Coxey & his “Army of the Commonweal of Christ.”the Commonweal of Christ.”

March on Washington March on Washington “hayseed “hayseed socialists!”socialists!”

Result of Election Result of Election ReturnsReturns

Result of Election Result of Election ReturnsReturns Populist vote

increased by40% in the bi-election year,1894.

Democratic party losses in the West werecatastrophic!

But, Republicanswon control of the House.

The1896

Election

The1896

Election

Gold / Silver Bug Gold / Silver Bug Campaign PinsCampaign Pins

Gold / Silver Bug Gold / Silver Bug Campaign PinsCampaign Pins

William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925)(1860-1925)

William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925)(1860-1925)

The “Great The “Great CommonerCommoner

””

William Jennings William Jennings BryanBryan

William Jennings William Jennings BryanBryan

Prairie avenger, Prairie avenger, mountain lion, mountain lion,Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan,Gigantic troubadour, Gigantic troubadour, speaking like a siege speaking like a siege gun, gun,Smashing Plymouth Smashing Plymouth Rock Rock with his boulders with his boulders from the West. from the West. Revivalist style of oratory.

Bryant’sBryant’s“Cross of Gold” Speech“Cross of Gold” Speech

Bryant’sBryant’s“Cross of Gold” Speech“Cross of Gold” Speech

You shall not You shall not press down upon press down upon the brow of labor the brow of labor this crown of this crown of thorns; you shall thorns; you shall not crucify not crucify mankind upon amankind upon a cross of goldcross of gold!!

Bryan: The Farmers Bryan: The Farmers FriendFriend

(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)

Bryan: The Farmers Bryan: The Farmers FriendFriend

(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)

18,000 miles of campaign “whistle stops.”18,000 miles of campaign “whistle stops.”

Democratic Democratic Party Party

Taken Over Taken Over by the by the

Agrarian Agrarian LeftLeft

Democratic Democratic Party Party

Taken Over Taken Over by the by the

Agrarian Agrarian LeftLeft

Platform tariff reductions; income tax; strictercontrol of the trusts (esp. RRs); free silver.

Mark Hanna: Mark Hanna: The “Front-Porch” The “Front-Porch”

CampaignCampaign

Mark Hanna: Mark Hanna: The “Front-Porch” The “Front-Porch”

CampaignCampaign

GOLD BUGS SILVERITES

Who They were

bankers and businessmen

farmers and laborers

What they wanted

gold standard“tight money” (less money in circulation)

bimetallism“cheap money”

Why loans would be repaid in stable money

products would be sold at higher prices

Effects DEFLATION:prices fallvalue of money increasesfewer people have money

INFLATION:prices risevalue of money decreasesmore people have money

William McKinley William McKinley (1843-1901)(1843-1901)

William McKinley William McKinley (1843-1901)(1843-1901)

Mark Hanna toMark Hanna to Candidate Candidate

McKinley McKinley

Mark Hanna toMark Hanna to Candidate Candidate

McKinley McKinley

““A Giant Straddle”: A Giant Straddle”: Suggestion for a Suggestion for a McKinley Political McKinley Political

PosterPoster

““A Giant Straddle”: A Giant Straddle”: Suggestion for a Suggestion for a McKinley Political McKinley Political

PosterPoster

The The Seasoned Seasoned PoliticianPolitician

vs.vs.

TheThe “Young” “Young”

NewcomerNewcomer

The The Seasoned Seasoned PoliticianPolitician

vs.vs.

TheThe “Young” “Young”

NewcomerNewcomer

Joshua A. Joshua A. Levering: Levering:

Prohibition PartyProhibition Party

Joshua A. Joshua A. Levering: Levering:

Prohibition PartyProhibition Party

Into Into Which Which Box Box Will Will the the

VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His

Ballot? Ballot?

Into Into Which Which Box Box Will Will the the

VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His

Ballot? Ballot?

1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults

1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults

Why Did Bryan Why Did Bryan Lose?Lose?

Why Did Bryan Why Did Bryan Lose?Lose?

His focus on silver underminedHis focus on silver underminedefforts to build bridges to urbanefforts to build bridges to urbanvoters.voters.

He did not form alliances withHe did not form alliances withother groups.other groups.

McKinley’s campaign was well-McKinley’s campaign was well-organized and highly funded.organized and highly funded.

Gold Triumphs Gold Triumphs Over SilverOver Silver

Gold Triumphs Gold Triumphs Over SilverOver Silver

1900 1900 GoldGoldStandard ActStandard Act

confirmed theconfirmed thenation’s nation’s commitment tocommitment tothe gold standard.the gold standard.

A victory for the A victory for the forces offorces ofconservatism.conservatism.

Heyday of Heyday of Western Western PopulismPopulism

Heyday of Heyday of Western Western PopulismPopulism

Why Did Why Did Populism Populism Decline?Decline?

Why Did Why Did Populism Populism Decline?Decline?1.1. The economy experienced rapid change.The economy experienced rapid change.

2.2. The era of small producers and The era of small producers and farmers was fading away.farmers was fading away.

3.3. Race divided the Populist Party, Race divided the Populist Party, especially in the South.especially in the South.

4.4. The Populists were not able to breakThe Populists were not able to breakexisting party loyalties.existing party loyalties.

5.5. Most of their agenda was co-opted byMost of their agenda was co-opted bythe Democratic Party.the Democratic Party.

Legacy of Legacy of PopulismPopulismLegacy of Legacy of PopulismPopulism

1.1.Downtrodden could Downtrodden could organize organize

2.2.Could have political Could have political impact with agenda to impact with agenda to make reformsmake reforms

The The Wizard Wizard of Oz of Oz by L. by L. Frank Frank BaumBaum

The The Wizard Wizard of Oz of Oz by L. by L. Frank Frank BaumBaum

1964: Henry 1964: Henry Littlefield’s Littlefield’s “Thesis”? “Thesis”?

1964: Henry 1964: Henry Littlefield’s Littlefield’s “Thesis”? “Thesis”?

““Parable of the Parable of the Populists”?Populists”?

““Parable of the Parable of the Populists”?Populists”? Tornado Tornado ??

Dorothy Dorothy ??

Toto Toto ??

Kansas Kansas ??

Wicked Witch of theWicked Witch of theEast East ??

Tin Woodsman Tin Woodsman ??

Scarecrow Scarecrow ??

Cowardly Lion Cowardly Lion ??

Yellow Brick Road Yellow Brick Road ??

Silver Slippers Silver Slippers ??

Emerald City Emerald City ??

Oz Oz ??

The Wizard The Wizard ??

Munchkins Munchkins ??

Wicked Witch of the West Wicked Witch of the West ??

Flying Monkeys Flying Monkeys ??

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written as an allegory to the situation that was an allegory to the situation that was happening in the Midwest. Every main happening in the Midwest. Every main character can be traced to either a character can be traced to either a particular person or group of people. particular person or group of people. Even the word “Oz” is used to represent Even the word “Oz” is used to represent the measurement of gold. the measurement of gold.

Dorothy:Dorothy:

Represents everyman. She is an innocent Midwest girl who is able to see what is really going on in Oz.

Munchkins:Munchkins:

Represent the Represent the common people, common people, controlled by the controlled by the Wicked Witch of Wicked Witch of the East (who the East (who represented the represented the Eastern Eastern Industrialists and Industrialists and Bankers.Bankers.

Represents the Represents the wise but naïve wise but naïve western western farmer, taken farmer, taken advantage of advantage of by the by the industrialists industrialists and bankers. and bankers.

Scarecrow:Scarecrow:

Represents the Represents the dehumanized industrial dehumanized industrial worker. He is turned into worker. He is turned into a machine by the a machine by the industrialists because of industrialists because of his hard work ethic and his hard work ethic and not having another craft not having another craft to succeed in. He to succeed in. He eventually becomes eventually becomes unable to love.unable to love.

Tinman:Tinman:

Represents Represents William William Jennings Bryan, Jennings Bryan, having a loud having a loud roar but was roar but was unable to back unable to back it up (bite). it up (bite).

Cowardly Cowardly Lion:Lion:

Wicked Witch of the West:Wicked Witch of the West:Represents the Represents the

Western Western industrial industrial influence and is influence and is ultimately ultimately destroyed by destroyed by water water (representing (representing pure nature, a pure nature, a removal of removal of machines).machines).

Other SymbolsOther SymbolsEmerald City-Washington, D.C.Emerald City-Washington, D.C.The WIzard: represents presidents The WIzard: represents presidents

Grant through McKinleyGrant through McKinleyWinged Monkeys: Plains IndiansWinged Monkeys: Plains Indians

Sources:Sources:

Henry M. Littlefield, “The Wizard of Henry M. Littlefield, “The Wizard of Oz: Parable on Populism,” Oz: Parable on Populism,” American Quarterly, Vol 16, no. 1 American Quarterly, Vol 16, no. 1 (Spring, 1964), pg 47-58. (Spring, 1964), pg 47-58.

Susan Pojer, Susan Pojer, www.historyteacher.netwww.historyteacher.net