AimAim: Why did the farmers : Why did the farmers revolt during the late revolt during the late

1800s?1800s?

Do NowDo NowRead pages 443-446.Read pages 443-446.

Answer the questions on the note sheet.Answer the questions on the note sheet.Turn in your homework.Turn in your homework.

Look at the HW Board for your assignment.Look at the HW Board for your assignment.

Let’s DiscussLet’s Discuss

Today, you are late 1800s farmers, Today, you are late 1800s farmers, yes that’s right, you are Old yes that’s right, you are Old McDonald…e-i-e-i-o. On your farm, McDonald…e-i-e-i-o. On your farm, you grew some corn….e-i-e-i-o.you grew some corn….e-i-e-i-o.

In 1869, the price of corn is $.75 and In 1869, the price of corn is $.75 and in 1889, the price of corn is $.28.in 1889, the price of corn is $.28.

You in those years, grew 1,000 You in those years, grew 1,000 bushels of corn. So you made in bushels of corn. So you made in 1869:_______________ and in 1889, 1869:_______________ and in 1889, you made:________________.you made:________________.

Big Pimpin?Big Pimpin?

However, as a farmer, you have a However, as a farmer, you have a mortgage and back in the day, your mortgage and back in the day, your mortgage is $400 per year.mortgage is $400 per year.

The problem is this. You have to calculate The problem is this. You have to calculate the amount of money you made growing the amount of money you made growing corn, then subtract it by your mortgage, corn, then subtract it by your mortgage, and then tell me. In what year, were and then tell me. In what year, were farmers making a lot of money and in farmers making a lot of money and in what year, were farmers broke?what year, were farmers broke?

Besides the mortgage, what other factors Besides the mortgage, what other factors affected a farmer’s bottom line and what affected a farmer’s bottom line and what do you think farmers did to correct this do you think farmers did to correct this problem?problem?

ObjectivesObjectives

By the end of this lesson, you, red-By the end of this lesson, you, red-blooded, American student, should blooded, American student, should be able to:be able to:

Describe the steps taken Describe the steps taken by the American farmer to by the American farmer to bring about reform in the bring about reform in the late 1800s. late 1800s.

4. 4. The Revolt of the The Revolt of the FarmersFarmers

Hurt by falling prices and heavy Hurt by falling prices and heavy debts, farmers were the first to feel debts, farmers were the first to feel the effects of economic change.the effects of economic change.

Because of these changes, the Because of these changes, the farmers were also the first group to farmers were also the first group to actively organize for reform.actively organize for reform.

4.1 4.1 The Plight of the The Plight of the FarmerFarmer

In the late 1800s, the plight of the In the late 1800s, the plight of the farmer was a serious one.farmer was a serious one.

During this period of time, farmers During this period of time, farmers were producing more than ever were producing more than ever before.before.1. Number of farms increase from two 1. Number of farms increase from two million to six million.million to six million.2. Wheat production increased from 2. Wheat production increased from 200 million bushels to over 665 200 million bushels to over 665 million bushels a year.million bushels a year.3. Corn production increased from 3. Corn production increased from less than one million bushels to two-less than one million bushels to two-and-a-half billion bushels a year.and-a-half billion bushels a year.

The prices that farmers received for their crops The prices that farmers received for their crops dropped because of competition from other dropped because of competition from other nations of the world.nations of the world.

As farm prices were dropping, farm costs were As farm prices were dropping, farm costs were rising.rising.

Farmers began to blame manufacturers and Farmers began to blame manufacturers and bankers for their problems. They felt the banks bankers for their problems. They felt the banks were offering farmers made mortgages and set were offering farmers made mortgages and set prices of goods and the railroads.prices of goods and the railroads.

Farmers disliked the railroads because they Farmers disliked the railroads because they controlled the warehouses and grain elevators controlled the warehouses and grain elevators that farmers used in the Midwest.that farmers used in the Midwest.

Farmers also disliked the railroads because they Farmers also disliked the railroads because they were forced to pay high prices to ship their were forced to pay high prices to ship their goods. Since railroads were the only form of goods. Since railroads were the only form of transportation, farmers had no choice but to pay transportation, farmers had no choice but to pay the costs.the costs.

1) What problems did farmers face in 1) What problems did farmers face in the late 1800s?the late 1800s?

2) Who did farmers blame for their 2) Who did farmers blame for their troubles? Why?troubles? Why?

3) Why were farmers angry with the 3) Why were farmers angry with the railroads?railroads?

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

19131913

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

silver (govt. stopped coining silver).

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

Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890)

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

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

4.2 4.2 The Grange The Grange MovementMovement

This movement allowed farmers to This movement allowed farmers to learn that they were not alone in learn that they were not alone in their problems.their problems.

The first group which helped the The first group which helped the plight of the farmer was the National plight of the farmer was the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. This group was formed in 1867 by This group was formed in 1867 by Oliver Kelley.Oliver Kelley.

By 1875, the Grange Movement had By 1875, the Grange Movement had nearly 800,000 members.nearly 800,000 members.

4) What is a cooperative?4) What is a cooperative?

Cooperatives were established with Cooperatives were established with the hope of selling farm machinery, the hope of selling farm machinery, insurance and warehousing at far insurance and warehousing at far cheaper costs than those in big cheaper costs than those in big business.business.

5) What was the purpose of farmer 5) What was the purpose of farmer cooperatives?cooperatives?

As problem became worse for As problem became worse for farmers, members of the Grange farmers, members of the Grange became more active in politics. became more active in politics. Members of the Grange controlled Members of the Grange controlled the state legislatures in the Midwest, the state legislatures in the Midwest, including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.and Wisconsin.

6) How did farmers attempt to 6) How did farmers attempt to regulate the railroads?regulate the railroads?

The railroad companies were very much against the The railroad companies were very much against the Granger Laws. They believed that the states had no right to Granger Laws. They believed that the states had no right to regulate trade, the only group who could regulate trade is regulate trade, the only group who could regulate trade is Congress.Congress.

The railroad companies said that states, by regulating The railroad companies said that states, by regulating trade, were taking away the income of the railroad without trade, were taking away the income of the railroad without the due process of law. This went against the 14the due process of law. This went against the 14thth Amendment.Amendment.

The Supreme Court helped to bring about the decline of the The Supreme Court helped to bring about the decline of the Grange Movement.Grange Movement.1. 1. Munn v. Illinois (1877)Munn v. Illinois (1877): stated that the states could set : stated that the states could set grain elevator rates.grain elevator rates.2. 2. Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad Company v. Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad Company v. Illinois (1886)Illinois (1886): stated that Illinois could not regulate the : stated that Illinois could not regulate the rates because the railroad company carried freight across rates because the railroad company carried freight across state borders. The Supreme Court also stated that the state borders. The Supreme Court also stated that the Congress regulates the rates.Congress regulates the rates.3. The United States Supreme Court also stated that the 3. The United States Supreme Court also stated that the 1414thth Amendment could protect businesses. Amendment could protect businesses.

7) How did the United States Supreme Court view towards the 7) How did the United States Supreme Court view towards the Granger Laws?Granger 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)

Supreme Court Supreme Court DecisionsDecisions

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 MovementMovement First organized in the 1870s in First organized in the 1870s in

the Midwest, the south, and the Midwest, the south, and Texas.Texas.

Set up cooperative associations.Set up cooperative associations.

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..

GiftGiftfor thefor theGrangeGrange

rs:rs:

The The FarmerFarmerPays Pays

for All!for All!

4.3 4.3 Farmers’ AlliancesFarmers’ Alliances Were started in the 1890s in an attempt Were started in the 1890s in an attempt

at reform.at reform. In Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota In Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota

and the Dakotas formed the Northwest and the Dakotas formed the Northwest Alliance.Alliance.

In the South, white farmers joined the In the South, white farmers joined the Southern Alliance, while Blacks formed Southern Alliance, while Blacks formed the Colored Farmers’ Alliance.the Colored Farmers’ Alliance.

These alliances won control of a number These alliances won control of a number of state legislatures in the south and west of state legislatures in the south and west and more than 50 members were elected and more than 50 members were elected to Congress.to Congress.

8) What were some of the farmers’ 8) What were some of the farmers’ alliances?alliances?

The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliances 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 In 1889 both In 1889 both

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

4.4 4.4 A New Political PartyA New Political Party

After the elections of 1890, farm After the elections of 1890, farm leaders decided to form a new leaders decided to form a new political party to protect their own political party to protect their own interests. This party became known interests. This party became known as the Populist Party.as the Populist Party.

9) What reforms did the Populists 9) What reforms did the Populists favor?favor?

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).

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party Founded by James B. Founded by James B.

WeaverWeaverand Tom Watson.and Tom Watson.

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

Got almost 1 million Got almost 1 million popularpopularvotes.votes.

Several Congressional Several Congressional seatsseatswon.won.

James B. Weaver, James B. Weaver, Presidential Presidential CandidateCandidate

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

Omaha Platform Omaha Platform of 1892of 1892 System of System of “sub-treasuries.”“sub-treasuries.”

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

Direct election of Senators.Direct election of Senators.

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

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

Restriction of undesirable immigration.Restriction of undesirable immigration.

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

Abolition of the Pinkerton detective Abolition of the Pinkerton detective agency.agency.

Australian secret ballot.Australian secret ballot.

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

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

Bi-Metallism Bi-Metallism IssueIssue

The reforms included:The reforms included:1. Reforms which returned power to 1. Reforms which returned power to the citizens.the citizens.2. The secret ballot.2. The secret ballot.3. Direct elections of United States 3. Direct elections of United States Senators.Senators.4. The initiative.4. The initiative.5. The referendum.5. The referendum.6. The recall.6. The recall.

10) What is an initiative?10) What is an initiative?11) What is a recall?11) What is a recall?12) What is a referendum?12) What is a referendum?

The Populists also wanted to take over The Populists also wanted to take over the railroad companies, telegraph the railroad companies, telegraph companies and steamships.companies and steamships.

The Populists also favored a The Populists also favored a graduated income tax.graduated income tax.

13) What is a graduated income tax?13) What is a graduated income tax?

In 1892, James Weaver was the In 1892, James Weaver was the Populist candidate for President.Populist candidate for President.

In 1894, Populist candidates In 1894, Populist candidates received 1,500,000 votes.received 1,500,000 votes.

Most of the Populist support came Most of the Populist support came from the Midwest, the South and the from the Midwest, the South and the Rocky Mountains.Rocky Mountains.

When push came to shove, many When push came to shove, many people saw the decline of the people saw the decline of the Populist Party.Populist Party.

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.

William Jennings William Jennings Bryan Bryan

(1860-1925)(1860-1925)

The “Great The “Great Commoner”Commoner”

William Jennings William Jennings BryanBryan

Revivalist style of oratory.

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.

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

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.”

DemocDemocratic ratic Party Party Taken Taken Over Over

by the by the AgrariAgrari

an an LeftLeft

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

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

““A Giant A Giant Straddle”: Straddle”:

Suggestion for a Suggestion for a McKinley Political McKinley Political

PosterPoster

The The SeasonSeason

ed ed PoliticiPolitici

anan

vs.vs.

The The “Young“Young

” ” NewcoNewco

mermer

Into Into Which Which Box Box Will Will the the

VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His

BallotBallot? ?

1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults

Why Did Bryan Why Did Bryan Loose?Loose? His focus on silver His focus on silver

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 gold the gold standard.standard.

A victory for the A victory for the

forces offorces ofconservatism.conservatism.

Heyday of Heyday of Western Western PopulismPopulism

Review QuestionsReview Questions

What happened to the farm prices What happened to the farm prices between 1860 and 1900?between 1860 and 1900?

What was the purpose of the Grange What was the purpose of the Grange in the early days?in the early days?

What were the reforms called for by What were the reforms called for by the Populists?the Populists?