The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of OzA Populist Allegory?A Populist Allegory?
Mr. BachHudson High SchoolUnited States History
What Gives a Dollar What Gives a Dollar Value?Value?
• Today?
• Late 19th Century?
1919thth Century Monetary Century Monetary FightFight
• East Coast Bankers (Rich)
– Creditors (They have provided loans to farmers for land, seed, machinery, etc.)
– Back the Gold Standard
– Want the amount of currency in U.S. to stay fixed or low growth.
• Plains Farmers (Poor)
– Debtors (They have taken out loans that they must pay back)
– Back the Free Coinage of Silver
– Want the amount of currency in the U.S. to expand
““The Cross of Gold”The Cross of Gold”
• William Jennings Bryan (1896 Democratic Candidate for President)
• “You Shall Not Crucify Mankind Upon a Cross of Gold!”
The Wonderful Wizard of The Wonderful Wizard of OzOz
• Published in 1900 by L. Frank Baum
DorothyDorothy
KansasKansas
TotoToto
Wicked Witch of the Wicked Witch of the EastEast
MunchkinsMunchkins
Wicked Witch of the Wicked Witch of the WestWest
Good Witch of the SouthGood Witch of the South
Yellow Brick RoadYellow Brick Road
ScarecrowScarecrow
Tin ManTin Man
Cowardly LionCowardly Lion
Winged MonkeysWinged Monkeys
Yellow WinkiesYellow Winkies
Deadly Poppy FieldDeadly Poppy Field
Emerald CityEmerald City
The WizardThe Wizard
Hot Air BalloonHot Air Balloon
““I’m Melting!”I’m Melting!”
““Ruby” SlippersRuby” Slippers