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Farmers and Populism Part 1
Part A: Short Answer: Instructions: Answer the questions below.
1. Who was Oliver Hudson Kelley? How did he impact the Populist
movement?
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2. What contribution did Mary Elizabeth Lease give to the Populist Movement?
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3. Why did Populists have tension with railroad
companies and with banks in the late 1800s?
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Part B: True or False: Instructions: Circle TRUE if the answer is true and FALSE if the answer is false. If the answer if
false, EXPLAIN WHY IT IS FALSE IN THE SPACE PROVIDED.
1. Greenbacks were incredibly valuable in the late 1800s. (TRUE / FALSE)
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2. Many Populists argued that their own governors in each respective state should be able to appoint Senators
to Congress. (TRUE / FALSE)
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3. Oliver Hudson Kelly started the Patrons of Husbandry. (TRUE / FALSE)
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4. Due to massive competition between many companies, railroad companies were forced to drastically reduce
ticket prices during the late 1800s. (TRUE / FALSE)
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All Rights Reserved.
ANSWERS:
Farmers and Populism Part 1
Part A: Short Answer: Instructions: Answer the questions below.
1. Who was Oliver Hudson Kelley? How did he impact the Populist
movement?
During the Populist movement, farmers united for economic reform. In 1867,
Oliver Hudson Kelley started the Patrons of Husbandry; it became known as the
Grange. The Grange began to challenge the business tactics of the railroad
industry. The railroad industry had power in their wealth, but the Grange had
strength in numbers.
2. What contribution did Mary Elizabeth Lease give to the Populist Movement?
Like the Grange, The Famers’ Alliance formed to challenge the banks,
railroads, and other businesses. They educated others on lower interest
rates on loans, the business tactics of railroads, and how government
intervention could halt those tactics. Mary Elizabeth Lease was a famous
woman who traveled and lectured on these issues. This was how she
contributed to the cause.
3. Why did Populists have tension with railroad
companies and with banks in the late 1800s?
Populists had tension with railroad companies
because they had incredibly high prices. The
railroad companies had essentially no competition
and could keep prices high. The Populists were
angry with banks because, if they missed loan
payments, the banks could take their property.
Part B: True or False: Instructions: Circle TRUE if the answer is true and FALSE if the answer is false. If the answer if
false, EXPLAIN WHY IT IS FALSE IN THE SPACE PROVIDED.
1. Greenbacks were incredibly valuable in the late 1800s. (TRUE / FALSE)
Greenbacks were being phased out of use and could not be backed by gold. Therefore, they were
drastically dropping in value during the late 1800s.
2. Many Populists argued that their own governors in each respective state should be able to appoint Senators
to Congress. (TRUE / FALSE)
Populists wanted Senators directly elected by the citizens of each respective state, not merely
appointed by a governor.
3. Oliver Hudson Kelly started the Patrons of Husbandry. (TRUE / FALSE)
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4. Due to massive competition between many companies, railroad companies were forced to drastically reduce
ticket prices during the late 1800s. (TRUE / FALSE)
In the late 1800s, the existing railroad companies had very little competition. Therefore, they charged
very high ticket prices.
Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com
All Rights Reserved.