Low Crop Prices led to debt Deflation- not a lot of money available Led to high interest rates and banks

would not loan money to farmers

Bi-Metalism- switch to a gold/silver standard

Increase money supply and allow banks more opportunity to give loans

Railroads overcharged farmers to store and ship crops= more debt

Railroads gave industrialists rebates and reduce charges

Government Control Railroads and Telegraphs- keep prices fair and fixed

Interstate Commerce Act- railroads must publish rates (ICC- govt. agency in control)

State legislatures appoint Senators Industry and wealthy able to control

government and appointments Senate referred to as the “rich man’s

club”

Direct Election of Senators- people elect Senators

Lead to 17th Amendment

Extreme income gap between rich and poor

Farmers and factory workers in debt and facing financial problems

Graduated Income Tax Income tax= tax on earnings Graduated Income Tax- wealthy pay

more (tax based on how much you earn)

Politicians overly influenced by wealthy business owners

Credit Mobilier Scandal- Railroad owners bribe government officials for loans and money that was stolen and not used for railroad

President Grant’s Administration involved

One Term President- presidents only serve one term (4 years)

22nd Amendment- limited President to 2 terms

Initiative- people propose bills Referendum- people vote on and pass

bills

Workers Low Pay Long Hours Dangerous Conditions

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire 1911 146 sweatshop women killed due to unsafe

conditions

8 hour workday for workers Minimum Wage Laws will eventually be

passed State government’s begin to pass laws

that require safer working conditions

William Jennings Bryant nominated by Democratic and Populist Party-Cross of Gold Speech – supports the “free coinage of silver” (silverites)

William McKinley nominated by Republicans- supports America remaining on the gold standards (goldbugs)

McKinley wins the election and the Populist Party dies out, but its reform ideas are adopted by Republicans and Democrats during the Progressive Era (1890 – 1920)