Chapter 12, Section 3

FARMERS AND POPULISM

What were the problems that farmers in the West and South were facing? Falling crop prices after the Civil WarRising debt

Why did farmers blame the railroad companies and banks for their plight? The railroads could charge whatever price they wanted;

Banks set high interest rates for farmer

FARMERS FACE PROBLEMS

How did each of the following farm movements begin and what reforms did they help bring about? The Grange 

Started by Oliver Kelley in 1867; Promoted education on new farming techniques; Wanted regulation of railroads and grain elevators.

The Farmer's Alliance Groups of farmers that got together to sell crops; Wanted low interest loans from banks; Led boycotts– included African Americans.

FARMERS ORGANIZE AND SEEK CHANGE

How did the Populist Party begin? Farmer’s Alliances joined together to form the Populist Party.

What were the goals of the party?Coinage of silver to combat low prices;Government ownership of railroads;Wanted to end corruption in gov.

What was the collective term for their goals? Omaha Platform

THE POPULIST PARTY DEMANDS REFORM

What is the 'Cross of Gold' Speech? Speech given by William Jennings Bryan at 1896 Democratic National Convention;

Depicted the U.S. as suffering being tied to a ‘cross of gold’.

How was the election of 1896 different from previous elections? William Jennings Bryan used ‘whistle stops’– stops across the U.S. in various towns;

More money was poured into this election than ever before– and most of it went to McKinley.

ECONOMIC CRISIS AND POPULISM’S DECLINE

The lack of support from what group hurt the Populists? Urban workers– too afraid to vote against their boss’ candidate.

What happened to the Populist Party? Did any of the goals they had hoped for come to fruition? Declined in popularity after the 1896 election; Many of their goals came to fruition in future decades.

POPULISM’S LEGACY

What is a political machine?Local group that controlled a political party’s activities

Offered services to voters in exchange for votes Jobs, housing, citizenship, food…

Example:Tammany Hall

Democratic Party machine in NYC Rose to power through the votes of Irish Immigrants

LOCAL POLITICAL CORRUPTION

What is a political boss? Leaders of a political machine

Controlled access to city jobs, licenses, justice and police;

Once in office, could take advantage of patronage and graft– people giving them money in exchange for rewards.

Example: Boss Tweed– leader of NYC’s Tammany Hall

LOCAL POLITICAL CORRUPTION

BENEFITS OF POLITICAL MACHINES

- provide services to immigrants (who no one cared about)- encourage people to vote

NEGATIVES OF POLITICAL MACHINES

- accepted bribes- corrupt- NOT democratic-- rigged

elections

WHO TAKES ON THE POLITICAL MACHINES?

Thomas Nast: political cartoonist, nativist, anti-Irish, anti-Catholic

Tweed offers him $500,000 to stop drawing anti-Tammany cartoons

Ultimately brings down the political machine