The Populism Movement

The Creation and Goals of the People’s Party

Creation of the Populist PartyA. The Populist Party developed

from farmers in the South and West.

B. Farmers had organized into the Grange and Farmers’ Alliances.

C. These groups organized to form the Populism Movement.

D. The Populism Movement was for farmers and other common people, and against railroads, big business, and the wealthy.

E. Populists referred to this elite group as the plutocracy, meaning government by the wealthy.

Reasons for PopulismA. Farmers faced increasing

debt.1. Cost of technology.2. Falling crop prices.3. Many farmers faced

foreclosure.

B. Railroads monopolized shipping and increased shipping rates.

C. Big business and its interests controlled the government.

Goals of the Populists

A. Silver money: Increase in the money supplyB. Secret Ballot: Eliminate voter fraudC. Direct Election of Senators: More say for peopleD. Women’s Suffrage: More say for peopleE. Single Term for President: More ideas coming into officeF. Immigration Restrictions: Protect domestic laborG. Graduated Income Tax: Tax wealthier moreH. 8 Hour Work Day: Protect workersI. Public Ownership of Railroads: End railroad corruption

Populism Propaganda• The Populist Party sought many reforms in the 1890s.

You have been selected by the Populist Party to design propaganda to try to influence people to support your party. You will need to develop a sign that will gather support for one Populist Party reform. You sign should include:– An original slogan that supports the reform and catches

attention.– Appropriate pictures that represent the reform.

• You need to be ready to present your sign by the end of the period today. It will be graded based on originality, support for your reform, pictures, and neatness.

Results of the Populist MovementA. The movement did not last very

long.B. It reached its peak during the Panic

of 1893, the worst economic depression in U.S. history up to that point.

C. Following the recovery, Republicans took control of the presidency and Populist goals were defeated.

D. The major accomplishments of the movement:

1. Showed the power of organizing average people.

2. Many reforms sought by Populists will eventually become law.