What were some of the major problems facing farmers during the Gilded Age ??

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APUSH Chapter 26 APUSH Chapter 26

The Homestead Act of 1862 The Homestead Act of 1862 p. 606p. 606

• Allowed settler to acquire up to 160 acres of land

• Land was kept after 5 years if:

• It was difficult to last 5 years in the dry dusty western plains

• Deeply flawed act allowed for massive corruption

It was lived on It was improved Occupant paid $30

Farm Becomes Factory“agribusiness” p.612

• Self-sufficient small farmers disappear in the American West

• What are they replaced with? • Large-scale farmers =

specialists and business people • Tied closely with rails, banks,

manufacturing • Focus on one large scale commercial crop

p. 613

The The SilverSilver Issue IssueThe The SilverSilver Issue Issue “Crime of ’73” demonetization of

silversilver (govt. stopped coining silver).

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

Sherman SilverSilver Purchase Act (1890)

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

Govt. deposited most silversilver in theUS Treasury rather than circulation.

Political ideas and activities that are intended to represent ordinary people's needs and wishes.

What is Populism?

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 The Grange MovementMovementThe Grange The Grange MovementMovement Union first organized in the Union first organized in the

1870s in the Midwest, the 1870s in the Midwest, the south, and Texas.south, and Texas.

Set up cooperative associations Set up cooperative associations where farmers pooled money & where farmers pooled money & resources.resources.

Social and educational Social and educational components.components.

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

Rapidly declined by the late Rapidly declined by the late 1870s1870s..

Supreme Court Supreme Court Decisions & Decisions &

congressional congressional laws laws

Supreme Court Supreme Court Decisions & Decisions &

congressional congressional laws laws

Munn vs. IllinoisMunn vs. Illinois (1877) (1877)

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

Interstate Commerce Act -regulated rates of railroads

The Farmers The Farmers Alliances Alliances

pp. 523 & 616

The Farmers The Farmers Alliances Alliances

pp. 523 & 616 Begun in the late 1880s (Texas first Begun in the late 1880s (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 More political and less social than the Grange.the Grange.

Ran candidates for office.Ran candidates for office.

Controlled 8 state legislatures & had Controlled 8 state legislatures & had 4747representatives in Congress during representatives in Congress during the 1890s.the 1890s.

United United We We

Stand, Stand, DivideDivided We d We FallFall

United United We We

Stand, Stand, DivideDivided We d We FallFall

In 1889 both In 1889 both the Northern andthe Northern andSouthern AlliancesSouthern Alliancesmerged into one—merged into one—the the Farmers’ Farmers’ AllianceAlliance..

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!”

The Pullman Strike of 1894The Pullman Strike of 1894

Led by Eugene V. Debs

Socialist union leader who challenged George Pullman forcutting wages.

Pullman IL, was totally controlled by the Pullman Company

The town was entirely self-sufficient

The Pullman Strike of 1894• Town went on strike

in 1893 to protest low wages

• What would be the affect of the strike on the nation as a whole?

• How could this situation be fixed quickly?

George Pullman

President Grover ClevelandPresident Grover Cleveland

If it takes the entire army and navy to If it takes the entire army and navy to deliver a postal card in Chicago, that card deliver a postal card in Chicago, that card

will be delivered!will be delivered!

McKinley Tariff Populist PartyFarmers’ Alliance

• Populism: Political movement that tried to help out the nation’s struggling farmers

• Why were farmers struggling?- Mechanization- More land (on credit) = more debt

- Specialization of Crops - Nature, - Corporate Greed

"The Iron Horse Which Eats Up The Farmers' Produce.” 1873

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 gain control of the Democratic Party.Party.

No. Alliance No. Alliance ran 3 ran 3rdrd Party Party candidates.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 reformers (Grange, Greenback Party).Party).

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. Weaver

and Tom Watson.and Tom Watson.

Omaha, NE Convention in Omaha, NE Convention in July,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

Tom WatsonTom Watson

Heyday of Heyday of Western Western PopulismPopulism

1892 Election1892 Election1892 Election1892 Election

Causes of the Causes of the 1893 Panic1893 Panic

Causes of the Causes of the 1893 Panic1893 Panic Begun 10 days after Cleveland took Begun 10 days after Cleveland took

office.office.

1.1. Several major corps. went bankrupt.Several major corps. went bankrupt.

Over 16,000 businesses Over 16,000 businesses disappeared.disappeared.

Triggered a stock market crash.Triggered a stock market crash.

Over-extended investments.Over-extended investments.

2.2. Bank failures followed causing a Bank failures followed causing a contractioncontractionof credit [nearly 500 banks closed].of credit [nearly 500 banks closed].

3.3. By 1895, unemployment reached 3 By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million.million.

Americans cried out for relief, but the Americans cried out for relief, but the Govt.Govt.continued its laissez faire policies!!continued its laissez faire policies!!

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 19cWhen the banker says he's brokeWhen 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 testIt 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 Then they'd know that it's the farmer farmer feeds them all. feeds them all.

• Please Complete Section E - putting things in order.

• Use letters A-E instead of numbers 1-5

• How did the rise of Populism How did the rise of Populism influence the outcome of the influence the outcome of the Election of 1896?Election of 1896?

Results of 1892 Results of 1892 Election ReturnsElection Returns Results of 1892 Results of 1892

Election ReturnsElection Returns Populist vote

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

Democratic party losses in

the West werecatastrophic!

But, Republicanswon control of

the House.

American Spirit p. 159

P. 618

How did the rise of Populism How did the rise of Populism influence the outcome of the influence the outcome of the

Election of 1896?Election of 1896?

The CandidatesThe Candidates

The “Great Commoner”The “Great Commoner”

William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings BryanWilliam McKinleyWilliam McKinleyThe “Idol of Ohio”

Bimetallism Bimetallism IssueIssue

What is it?

Who supports bimetallism?

Who supports the goldgold standard?

Gold / Silver Bug Gold / Silver Bug Campaign PinsCampaign Pins

Who is supported by the GoldGold Bugs?

Who is supported by the SilverSilver Bugs?

DemocDemocratic ratic Party Party Taken Taken Over Over

by the by the AgrariAgrari

an an Left Left

(Popul(Populists)ists)

DemocDemocratic ratic Party Party Taken Taken Over Over

by the by the AgrariAgrari

an an Left Left

(Popul(Populists)ists)

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

William Jennings William Jennings BryanBryan(1860-1925)(1860-1925)

Prairie avenger, Prairie avenger, mountain lion, mountain lion,Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan,

Bryan, Bryan,Gigantic troubadour, Gigantic troubadour,

speaking like a speaking like a siege 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.

Populists briefly merge with Democrats for Election of 1896.

Bryant’sBryant’s“Cross of “Cross of GoldGold” ”

SpeechSpeech

Bryant’sBryant’s“Cross of “Cross of GoldGold” ”

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

Bryan: The Bryan: The Farmers FriendFarmers Friend(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)

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

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

• Civil War vet Member of Congress from Ohio

• Member of the “billion dollar” congress

• Supported high tariffs • Favored the goldgold

standard

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

CampaignCampaign

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

CampaignCampaign• Robber Baron of the Iron industry

• “trickle down” econ• Bankrolled McKinley's

campaign • “I love McKinley”

• The “President Maker”

Mark Hanna to Mark Hanna to Candidate Candidate

McKinleyMcKinley

Mark Hanna to Mark Hanna to Candidate Candidate

McKinleyMcKinley

““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 SeasoSeasoned ned

PolitiPoliticiancian

vs.vs.

The The “You“Young” ng”

NewcNewcomeromer

The The SeasoSeasoned ned

PolitiPoliticiancian

vs.vs.

The The “You“Young” ng”

NewcNewcomeromer

Joshua A. Levering: Prohibition Party

Into Into Which Which Box Box Will Will the the

VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His

BallotBallot? ?

Into Into Which Which Box Box Will Will the the

VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His

BallotBallot? ?

1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults

1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResultsBegins the 4Begins the 4thth party system party system p. 623

The Fourth Party System p. 623

• The 1896 victory of William McKinley ushered in a long period of Republican dominance that was accompanied by diminishing voter participation in elections

• The 1896 presidential election marked the last time that a serious effort to win the White House would be made with mostly agrarian votes

Why Did Bryan Why Did Bryan Loose?Loose?

American Spirit P. 171American Spirit P. 171

Why Did Bryan Why Did Bryan Loose?Loose?

American Spirit P. 171American Spirit P. 171 His focus on His focus on silversilver underminedunderminedefforts to build bridges to efforts to build bridges to urbanurbanvoters.voters.

He did not form alliances He did not form alliances withwithother groups.other groups.

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

Gold Triumphs Gold Triumphs Over SilverOver Silver

1900 1900 GoldGoldStandard ActStandard Act

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

A victory for the A victory for the

forces offorces ofconservatism.conservatism.

Why Did Why Did Populism Populism Decline?Decline?

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

change.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 The Populists were not able to breakbreakexisting party loyalties.existing party loyalties.

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

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

The The Wizard Wizard of Ozof Oz by L. by L. Frank Frank Baum Baum - -

19001900

The The Wizard Wizard of Ozof Oz by L. by L. Frank Frank Baum Baum - -

19001900

What could this What could this possibly have to do possibly have to do with Populism?with Populism?

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

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

Tornado Tornado Rhetoric of Rhetoric of WJBWJB

Dorothy Dorothy Everyman Everyman

Toto Toto Temperance Temperance activists (allies of activists (allies of Populists)Populists)

Kansas Kansas The west The west

Wicked Witch of theWicked Witch of theEast East Eastern bankers Eastern bankers & industrialists & industrialists

Tin Woodsman Tin Woodsman Industrial workers Industrial workers

Scarecrow Scarecrow Farmers Farmers

Cowardly Lion Cowardly Lion WJBWJB

Silver Slippers Silver Slippers Magic Magic of free silver of free silver

Emerald City Emerald City Washington D.C. Washington D.C.

Oz Oz abbreviation for abbreviation for ounce. How ounce. How gold gold is is measured.measured.

The Wizard The Wizard President President of the USA of the USA

Wicked Witch of the Wicked Witch of the West West difficult difficult environment of the environment of the plains plains

Yellow Brick Road Yellow Brick Road “Gold” many dangers for “Gold” many dangers for regular people (like Dorothy)regular people (like Dorothy)

What were some of the major problems facing farmers during the Gilded Age ??

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