Warm Up

1)  Finish reading the document on the Rise and Fall of the Populist Movement

A.  Highlight all the events that led to the creation of the Populist Party (WHY)

B.  Underline all the people or groups of people who are associated with the founding of the Populist Party (WHO)

C.  Box in all effects of the Populist party on the USA (WHAT)

THE POPULIST MOVEMENT

American Farmers

I.  American farmers faced many problems in the late 1800’s

II.  Farmers were trapped in a terrible economic cycle that led many to go deep into debt, declare bankruptcy and lose their farms & homes

III.  Because they faced similar problems many farmers banded together to solve them together

Take out loans for

equipment & supplies

Crop prices fall due to over production

Farmers mortgage their land and take

out loans to buy more land to grow more crops make

more money

Farmers can’t pay off their debt

Farmers grow too many crops & prices fall

THE FARMERS PROBLEMS

I.  The number of Farmers was decreasing in the USA. A.  Less Americans are farming à less Americans care about farmers

II.  Crop prices falling. A.  Crops sell for less à less money for the farmer

III.  Farm machinery = expensive!! A.  Taking out loans to pay for farm equipment

IV.  Shipping costs = expensive A.  Railroads charge farmers high shipping rates

V.  Farmers have no money à go further into debt A.  Take out loans to pay off debt à go deeper into debt

Wheat Prices YEAR Bushels Grown

(millions) Price per bushel (dollars)

1866 170 $2.06 1875 254 $1.04 1880 502 $.92 1885 400 $.77 1890 449 $.84 1895 542 $.51 1900 599 $.62

American Economic Problems I.  The famers’ problems were part of a much bigger

economic issue facing the USA

II.  The USA economy was in a deflationary period where the amount of money in circulation was decreasing

A.  Greenbacks (paper money) issued during the Civil War had not value

B.  U.S. government stopped circulation of greenbacks

III.  Deflation led prices to decrease (good for consumers) which hurt farmers who struggled pay of debt

Farmers Want Cheap Money I.  Farmers want money supply to increase (inflation)

A.  Increase in money à easier to pay off debt

II.  Farmers want the U.S. government to issue money using gold and silver to support currency

A.  Gold and silver would increase the money supply à make money cheap

B.  Products would cost more but there would be more money to use

III.  Farmers are upset the money they are using to pay their loans costs more than the money they borrowed (harder to get)

The Problem With Railroads I.  During the late 19th century

farmer struggled with incredibly high shipping rates on railroads

II.  Railroads were the only way for farmers and ranchers to sell their products

III.  High shipping rates meant farmers struggled to be profitable

DO NOW ①  Go to this link: https://goo.gl/BKkXW9

②  There you find directions on what to do:

③  You will create a Venn Diagram of the gold standard and bimetallism

④  Compare the two monetary practices and see how this issue became important in the USA during the late 1800s

The Farmers Alliance

I.  In an attempt to improve the lives of farmers they began organizing together for change

II.  Oliver Kelly established the first farmer’s organization = Patrons of Husbandry.

A.  It was better known as the Grange Movement

III.  Farmers believe they can make effective change by banding together

THE GRANGE MOVEMENT I.  The Grange Movement was an

educational organization for rural farmers

II.  Attempted to fix the problems

farmers faced III.  Advocated:

A.  Reduced storage rates B.  Reduced railroad rates C.  Improved living conditions of the

farmers.

IV.  Led to other groups like the Farmers Alliance & Colored Farmers National Alliance

Populist Party

I.  The Grange, Farmer’s Alliance and Color Farmer’s National Alliance created the Populist Party or People’s Party

II.  The political party was created to represent the average worker in America

III.  The Populist wanted several financial and political reforms passed into law

THE POPULIST PARTY

The Populist Movement

I.  The Populist Party was created to give the average people a voice in American government

II.  Populists fought for farmers, industrial workers and other blue collar jobs

III.  The Populist Party platform was created to give the people more political power

THE POPULIST PARTY PLATFORM

I.  INCREASE THE MONEY SUPPLY A.  More money for the average worker

II.  GRADUATED INCOME TAX A.  Make more money à pay more in taxes

III.  FEDERAL FARMERS LOAN PROGRAM A.  U.S. government could loan farmers money at low interest rate

IV.  ELECTING U.S. SENATOR BY POPULAR VOTE (PEOPLE)

V.  SINGLE TERM FOR PRESIDENT & VP

VI.  8 HOUR WORKDAY à 8 HRS WORK, 8 PLAY, 8 SLEEP

Rise of Populist Party

I.  The Populist party became very popular… A.  Western & Southern United States

II.  Assisted struggling farmers, factory workers and the average American

III.  Populist programs would eventually merge with the

Democratic Party A.  The government is responsible for assisting injustices

ARE YOU WITH ME??

①  Discuss two problems of the American farmer in the late 1800s: ①  ② 

②  Why do farmers want American money backed with gold and silver instead of gold?

③  How does having more money assist farmers with their debt?

④  What political party was created to assist farmers with the problems they faced?

DO NOW ①  Create a political advertisement for the Populist Party

②  Keep in mind that this is a political party created to give power to the people…

③  Be sure to include information about the party platform that was previously discussed in the notes.

④  Be sure to include the problems that the Populist Party will solve.

⑤  Appeal to the person who is most likely to vote Populist