Populism in the late 1800s
Jolly - Axis STEM Academy - Fall 2015
Populism - a reaction to...
Patronage - government jobs awarded to friends, campaigners, major donors
(corruption of spoils system)
Government corruption - abundant from presidency of U.S. Grant through end
of century
Populism: gold bugs v. silverites
“Gold Bugs” - those who wanted U.S. specie to stay on the gold standard
(supported by banks; gold is rare, so less $ would be in circulation, driving prices
down, most profits to the rich who owned most gold)
“Silverites” wanted unlimited coinage in silver (supported by farmers; common,
so more $ in circulation = higher prices, wealth distributed more equally).
Who won?
THE BANKS - THEY ALWAYS WIN IF THEY GET TO PLAY.
Grange, Farmers Alliance, & Populist Party
Grange (1867) - created farm cooperatives*, built warehouses & silos,
negotiated better shipping rates
*groups of farmers who pool their money to buy seeds & tools at wholesale prices
Farmers Alliance (1877) - created coops (like Grange) but also negotiated
trade agreements (guaranteeing better prices)
Populist (or “People’s”) Party (1892) - effort to combine needs of working
class (farmers & laborers) along with Silverites into political action
Grange, Farmers Alliance, & Populist Party posters
Populism: addressing the needs of farmers
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Increase in farmed land 1850-1900: +430 million acres
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Improved technology = increased production
●
Increased production = lower prices.
Populism: addressing the needs of farmers
●
Increase in farmed land 1850-1900: +430 million acres
●
Improved technology = increased production
●
Increased production = lower prices.
Populism: addressing the needs of farmers
●
Increase in farmed land 1850-1900: +430 million acres
●
Improved technology = increased production
●
Increased production = lower prices.
Populism: addressing the needs of farmers
●
Increase in farmed land 1850-1900: +430 million acres
●
Improved technology = increased production
●
Increased production = lower prices.
Grange Halls today - centers of community organization
Grange Halls today - centers of community organization
Unfortunately for the People’s Party...
Unfortunately for the People’s Party...
Key Takeaways
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Reverence for farming persists
Populism united working class people of many backgrounds
Urbanization would add to their numbers
Reaction against ‘obscene wealth’ of the ultra-rich would coalesce in early
1900s Progressive Movement
Rejuvenation of Grange movement in early 2000’s