U.S. History Since 1865
Lesson 1
The Farmer’s Revolt
A. The Farmer’s Alliance
1. Farmer’s had lots of problems
a) banking system – bad credit
b) unfair rate system – RR shipping
c) land speculation – raised prices
2. Farmer’s Alliance – wanted to fight unfairness
a) 1890 – over 3 million members
b) pro family – supported inclusion of women & kids
c) lots of speeches and debates – how to solve problems
3. started “bulking” crops – selling in bulk – better price
a) “cooperatives” – stored grain and marketed it
B. Populist Movement
1. Third Party – represent common folk – farmers & laborers
a) supported co-ops, land reform, fairness
b) wanted govt. ownership of rr and telegraph
c) wanted currency reform – use silver and greenbacks
1) makes credit more available
a) wanted 8 hr. workday
The Labor Wars
A. Homestead Lockout
1. Carnegie refused to negotiate w/ steel worker union
2. Hired Henry Frick to break up strike
a) built fence and hired Pinkertons to keep strikers out
b) hired scabs
3. July 6, 1892 – strikers faced off w/ Pinkertons
a) 12 hrs shootout – fireworks, dynamite, etc.
b) several killed – many wounded – strikers won
4. Strikers took over the mill – Alexander Berkman tried to
assassinate Frick
a) people began to assoc. unions w/ anarchy
b) workers lost public support
5. Workers finally backed down – Frick fired most of them
a) huge blow to unions
C. Cripple Creek Miner’s Strike
1. Workers in the mines wanted 8 hr. work day
a) went on strike
b) Gov. of CO was populist – didn’t’ intervene
2. Mine owners finally agreed to 8 hr. day
D. Pullman Strike
1. George Pullman – invented rr sleeping car
a) huge factory town where they were built
2. workers went on strike for better wages
a) rr workers refused to pull Pullman cars
3. Shut down the U.S. shipping industry
4. Pres. Cleveland brought in army – strike ended peacefully
5. unions realized they didn’t have enough power for
permanent change