The Populist MovementAim: How successful were the Populists in solving America’s problems?

The Farmer is the ManThe farmer is the man Lives on credit till the fall With the interest rates so high It's a wonder he don't die And the mortgage man's the one That gets it all.

The farmer is the man The farmer is the man Lives on credit till the fall And his pants are wearing thin His condition it's a sin He's forgot that he's the man That feeds them all.

I. Farmers’ ComplaintsA. Many farmers were in debt and farms were foreclosed

(new machinerygreater productionlower prices)B. Tariffs raised prices of manufactured goods and shrank

international marketC. Reduction in money supply caused deflation, a drop in

prices of goodsD. The backing of the nation’s currency by gold (gold

standard) limited money supply1. Silverites called for “free silver”- unlimited coining of silver to cause

inflation

II. The Farmers ProtestA. The Grange pushed for reforms such as

railroad regulations & the printing of greenbacks to cause inflation (raise the price of goods)

B. The Farmers’ Alliances in many states also attempted to improve farmers’ situations

C. These alliances eventually formed the Populist Party (people’s party)

D. Populist Party Platform1. increase in money supply (inflation)2. unlimited coining of silver3. federal ownership of railroads4. graduated income tax5. eight-hour work day6. direct election of U.S. Senators

III. Election of 1896A. Populists joined with Democrats, and

William Jennings Bryan was the candidateB. William McKinley, the Republican candidate,

supported big businessC. Bryan gave his famous “Cross of Gold”

speech condemning the gold standardD. Bryan failed to win working class support in

the Northeast and lost the election

IV. Significance Although Populist

Party faded, many of their ideas were later put into law during the Progressive Era

Third Parties, or minor parties, run for political office to introduce new ideas to major parties