farmers / farming the agricultural economy declined from the 1870s and 1880s the agricultural...

Farmers / Farming Farmers / Farming The Agricultural Economy Declined from the The Agricultural Economy Declined from the

1870s and 1880s1870s and 1880s

EvidenceEvidence in 1870 agriculture rep. 50% of the total wealth of in 1870 agriculture rep. 50% of the total wealth of

the country, but by 1900 it rep. only 20%. the country, but by 1900 it rep. only 20%. farmers had received 30% of the national income farmers had received 30% of the national income

in 1870, they received only 18% by 1910. in 1870, they received only 18% by 1910. by 1910, 37% of farmers were mere tenants, by 1910, 37% of farmers were mere tenants,

unable to buy their own farms.unable to buy their own farms.

Main reasons for declineMain reasons for decline

Overproduction / saturation of domestic market: Overproduction / saturation of domestic market: increased output due to greater migration, more increased output due to greater migration, more farms, more efficient machineryfarms, more efficient machinery

40% of farm produce went overseas, but there was 40% of farm produce went overseas, but there was growing competition for foreign markets: from Brazil, growing competition for foreign markets: from Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and RussiaRussia

Increased costs, fees, associated with farming Increased costs, fees, associated with farming

Frustrated farmers blamed everyone but Frustrated farmers blamed everyone but themselvesthemselves

Didn’t realize they contributed enormously to their Didn’t realize they contributed enormously to their problems by overproducing: they didn’t realize the problems by overproducing: they didn’t realize the dangers of dangers of over productionover production and weren’t and weren’t organized enough to deal with itorganized enough to deal with it

Yet, many of their complaints about others were Yet, many of their complaints about others were valid…..they were exploited, as they claimedvalid…..they were exploited, as they claimed

Farmers ComplaintsFarmers Complaints

1. 1. Railroad / Railway CompaniesRailroad / Railway Companies

Charged high rates for transportationCharged high rates for transportation Formed Pools to prevent competition and keep Formed Pools to prevent competition and keep

rates highrates high Charged high storage rates (elevators)Charged high storage rates (elevators)

Farmers Complaints contdFarmers Complaints contd....

2. 2. Eastern Industrial MonopoliesEastern Industrial Monopolies

They resented eastern business trusts and They resented eastern business trusts and monopolies for eliminating competition (Social monopolies for eliminating competition (Social Darwinism) and keeping costs high for farm Darwinism) and keeping costs high for farm machinery, barbed wire, fertilizer…(Carnegie, machinery, barbed wire, fertilizer…(Carnegie, Rockefeller, Morgan)Rockefeller, Morgan)

Farmers Complaints contdFarmers Complaints contd....

33. . Financial Institutions: banks, Financial Institutions: banks, mortgage companies, insurance mortgage companies, insurance companies…companies…

Farmers don’t have Cash Flow: need loans until after Farmers don’t have Cash Flow: need loans until after harvesting and selling: loans for expensive harvesting and selling: loans for expensive machinery.. machinery..

Out West, there were few sources of credit: little Out West, there were few sources of credit: little competition: farmers had to take whatever terms competition: farmers had to take whatever terms were available: loans to 25% interest: mortgages were available: loans to 25% interest: mortgages with up to 40% interest…..much higher than in the with up to 40% interest…..much higher than in the East East

Farmers Complaints contd..Farmers Complaints contd..

4. 4. Blamed the Federal GovernmentBlamed the Federal Government

A. Resented it’s A. Resented it’s Laissez FaireLaissez Faire economic policies, lack economic policies, lack of effective regulation of Trusts, Monopolies, and the of effective regulation of Trusts, Monopolies, and the resulting high costs of manufactured goodsresulting high costs of manufactured goods

B. Resented its B. Resented its TariffTariff policies: policies: McKinley TariffMcKinley Tariff, 1890, , 1890, increased rate to 48%: they identified 100 items that increased rate to 48%: they identified 100 items that they bought that cost between 33% to 60% more they bought that cost between 33% to 60% more because of Tariffs (because of Tariffs (Wilson-Gorman TariffWilson-Gorman Tariff, 1894 – , 1894 – Democratic Bill; expected reduction did not come Democratic Bill; expected reduction did not come about, just as high – good thing about it was the 2% about, just as high – good thing about it was the 2% tax on incomes over $4,000)tax on incomes over $4,000)

Farmers Complaints contdFarmers Complaints contd.... C. Complained about the new C. Complained about the new Monetary PolicyMonetary Policy / /

adoption of the Gold Standard: switch from bi-adoption of the Gold Standard: switch from bi-metallism (gold and silver determining money metallism (gold and silver determining money supply / levels) which became known as the “Crime supply / levels) which became known as the “Crime of ’73”of ’73”

Felt the decrease in the money supply was the Felt the decrease in the money supply was the cause of low prices; demanded “Free Silver” or the cause of low prices; demanded “Free Silver” or the restoration of bi-metallism (advocated by restoration of bi-metallism (advocated by Greenback Labor party)Greenback Labor party)

Farmers Complaints contdFarmers Complaints contd....D. High D. High Property TaxesProperty Taxes: felt their property / : felt their property /

wealth was highly visible, and therefore wealth was highly visible, and therefore measureable, whereas industrialists could hide measureable, whereas industrialists could hide their wealth (Corporations, shares..) and so pay their wealth (Corporations, shares..) and so pay less taxless tax

Farmers Organize: The GrangesFarmers Organize: The Granges First attempt: 1867 when Oliver Kelley started the First attempt: 1867 when Oliver Kelley started the

National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry or National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry or GrangesGranges

He was an Dept. of Ag. official, appalled by what he He was an Dept. of Ag. official, appalled by what he witnessed in rural areas: isolation and drabness of witnessed in rural areas: isolation and drabness of rural life, and the difficult /hard work of farmers and rural life, and the difficult /hard work of farmers and their families as they struggled to make a livingtheir families as they struggled to make a living

Goals (“to stimulate self-improvement through Goals (“to stimulate self-improvement through educational and social activities”) : bring farmers and educational and social activities”) : bring farmers and families together to create a feeling of community families together to create a feeling of community and relieve the loneliness of rural life; Also, to and relieve the loneliness of rural life; Also, to provide classes, seminars - to educate farmers in provide classes, seminars - to educate farmers in advanced agricultural techniques.advanced agricultural techniques.

The GrangesThe Granges

had a strange, elaborate system of initiation and had a strange, elaborate system of initiation and ritual and a strict code of secrecy, including a ritual and a strict code of secrecy, including a secret oath (from the Order of Masons) secret oath (from the Order of Masons)

Membership increased to 800,000 members and Membership increased to 800,000 members and 20,000 local lodges by 1875: spread to almost 20,000 local lodges by 1875: spread to almost every state but was strongest in the South and every state but was strongest in the South and Mid-WestMid-West

As time went on it would develop a wider program As time went on it would develop a wider program of goals: expanded from being a social, self help of goals: expanded from being a social, self help society, to include economic and political issues society, to include economic and political issues

The GrangesThe Granges Economic ProgramEconomic Program

Launched a major cooperative movement: to Launched a major cooperative movement: to produce and market themselves, to eliminate produce and market themselves, to eliminate middlemen, have more leverage to bargain with middlemen, have more leverage to bargain with Eastern monopolies and banks…. increase profits Eastern monopolies and banks…. increase profits

Approx 400 enterprises; livestock, dairies, Approx 400 enterprises; livestock, dairies, warehouses, insurance, even machine factories. warehouses, insurance, even machine factories.

Eventually the majority of these enterprises failed Eventually the majority of these enterprises failed because of because of Inexperience / lack of business skills Inexperience / lack of business skills Hostility / lack of cooperation of eastern businesses and Hostility / lack of cooperation of eastern businesses and

banksbanks


Political ProgramPolitical Program

Wanted to stay out of politics but became drawn in: Wanted to stay out of politics but became drawn in: came to believe that this was the only way they came to believe that this was the only way they could hope to bring an end to monopolies could hope to bring an end to monopolies

In 1873, they issued the "In 1873, they issued the "The Farmers Dec. of The Farmers Dec. of IndependenceIndependence" which proclaimed that it was time " which proclaimed that it was time for farmers to free themselves from oppression and for farmers to free themselves from oppression and tyranny, and announced that they would support tyranny, and announced that they would support candidates of either major party for state candidates of either major party for state legislatures who supported the restriction of legislatures who supported the restriction of monopolies. monopolies.


Some Grange leaders ran as independent Some Grange leaders ran as independent candidates: Granges supported candidates who candidates: Granges supported candidates who promised to promote their goalspromised to promote their goals

Success for these candidates in elections for state Success for these candidates in elections for state legislatures in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesotalegislatures in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota

These states introduced laws regulating Railroad These states introduced laws regulating Railroad rates, known as rates, known as Granger LawsGranger Laws in the early in the early 1870's…..controlling rates, preventing pools….1870's…..controlling rates, preventing pools….


Railroad companies challenged the Railroad companies challenged the Granger Granger LawsLaws, arguing that only the Fed govt. had the , arguing that only the Fed govt. had the exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce: exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce: and using the 14th Amend they argued that and using the 14th Amend they argued that Corporations were people and were being Corporations were people and were being illegally deprived of their property without due illegally deprived of their property without due processprocess

At first, the Supreme Court, in At first, the Supreme Court, in Munn v IllinoisMunn v Illinois (1877) rejected these arguments, replying that (1877) rejected these arguments, replying that states could regulate interstate commerce in the states could regulate interstate commerce in the absence of federal govt. regulation, and that a absence of federal govt. regulation, and that a corporation was not a person within the meaning corporation was not a person within the meaning of the Constitution. of the Constitution.

The GrangesThe Granges These initial Grange victories however proved These initial Grange victories however proved

short lived: a new Supreme Court in 1886, in the short lived: a new Supreme Court in 1886, in the Wabash Case,Wabash Case, reversed reversed Munn v IllinoisMunn v Illinois: decided : decided that the regulation of freight rates was that the regulation of freight rates was unconstitutional: control of interstate commerce unconstitutional: control of interstate commerce was the domain of Congress….was the domain of Congress….Granger LawsGranger Laws were repealed were repealed

Congress tried to mitigate the hostility towards the Congress tried to mitigate the hostility towards the WabashWabash decision with the decision with the Interstate Commerce Interstate Commerce ActAct (ICA) in 1887, which set up the (ICA) in 1887, which set up the Interstate Interstate Commerce CommissionCommerce Commission (ICC) to enforce it’s (ICC) to enforce it’s provisions….goal was to look into complaints about provisions….goal was to look into complaints about unfair RR practices and prevent themunfair RR practices and prevent them

The GrangesThe Granges The ICA required RR's to publish their rates and schedules and The ICA required RR's to publish their rates and schedules and

file them with the govt., and to charge reasonable and just ratesfile them with the govt., and to charge reasonable and just rates

But the ICC consisted of only 5 Commissioners, could only But the ICC consisted of only 5 Commissioners, could only inquire into complaints, and then make recommendations to the inquire into complaints, and then make recommendations to the govt. It had no power to act. RR owners slowed the process by govt. It had no power to act. RR owners slowed the process by appealing Commission’s decisionsappealing Commission’s decisions

The ICC was a “feeble sop to the public”…proved “woefully The ICC was a “feeble sop to the public”…proved “woefully inadequate.” (later effective reforms through Elkins and inadequate.” (later effective reforms through Elkins and Hepburn Acts, and creation of Commerce Dept.)Hepburn Acts, and creation of Commerce Dept.)

The RR’s were virtually unregulated…few, if any, restrictions, The RR’s were virtually unregulated…few, if any, restrictions, were placed on them after the repeal of the Granger Lawswere placed on them after the repeal of the Granger Laws

Decline of GrangesDecline of Granges

Declined and died out due to: disillusionment Declined and died out due to: disillusionment after defeat of Granger Laws, lack of effective after defeat of Granger Laws, lack of effective leadership, and the return of prosperity for a few leadership, and the return of prosperity for a few years in the late 1870's…all led to a dramatic years in the late 1870's…all led to a dramatic decline in membership. decline in membership.

Farmers AlliancesFarmers Alliances

A new movement, the A new movement, the Farmers AlliancesFarmers Alliances, began in , began in the South around 1875the South around 1875

Became regionalized: the two biggest alliances Became regionalized: the two biggest alliances were the Southern Alliance and the Northwestern were the Southern Alliance and the Northwestern AllianceAlliance

Membership increased when the economy Membership increased when the economy declined in the late 1880s: agriculture prices declined in the late 1880s: agriculture prices collapsed, freight rates escalated rapidly, bank collapsed, freight rates escalated rapidly, bank rates increased, bankruptcies increasedrates increased, bankruptcies increased


Unfortunately, due to racism in the South, African Unfortunately, due to racism in the South, African American farmers were forced to form their own American farmers were forced to form their own Colored Farmers Alliances, whose representatives Colored Farmers Alliances, whose representatives were not always welcomed at national levelwere not always welcomed at national level

Their goal at first, was to focus on Economic Their goal at first, was to focus on Economic issues; Alliances helped farmers set up issues; Alliances helped farmers set up cooperatives - marketing associations, stores, cooperatives - marketing associations, stores, banks, processing plants – to free farmers from banks, processing plants – to free farmers from dependence on businessmen and middlemen (like dependence on businessmen and middlemen (like the the GrangesGranges))


But because of mismanagement, inexperience, lack But because of mismanagement, inexperience, lack of cooperation from the East, depression, the of cooperation from the East, depression, the majority of co-operatives collapsedmajority of co-operatives collapsed

The Alliances later turned to politics, drawing up a The Alliances later turned to politics, drawing up a list of demands to propose to candidates from the list of demands to propose to candidates from the major parties running for office: if they agreed to major parties running for office: if they agreed to adopt them, the Alliances would support them (like adopt them, the Alliances would support them (like the the GrangesGranges))


These were know as the These were know as the Ocala Demands (Florida Ocala Demands (Florida Conference)Conference)

Candidates supporting the Alliances’ platform were Candidates supporting the Alliances’ platform were successful in the elections of 1890 – controlling or successful in the elections of 1890 – controlling or partially controlling the legislatures in 12 states. partially controlling the legislatures in 12 states. Additionally, 6 governors, 3 senators, and approx Additionally, 6 governors, 3 senators, and approx 50 Congressmen claimed to supported the Ocala 50 Congressmen claimed to supported the Ocala Demands during the campaigns Demands during the campaigns

However, after the elections, many of them, now However, after the elections, many of them, now that they were safely elected, forgot their promises that they were safely elected, forgot their promises and did not pay too much attention to these issues and did not pay too much attention to these issues


Frustrated, the Alliances decided to set up their Frustrated, the Alliances decided to set up their own political party, and run its own candidates for own political party, and run its own candidates for state and federal government elections. state and federal government elections.

At a mAt a meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, a new political eeting in Omaha, Nebraska, a new political party was founded in 1890- the party was founded in 1890- the People's PartyPeople's Party (more commonly known as the (more commonly known as the Populist PartyPopulist Party or or just simply as just simply as PopulismPopulism).).

It adopted the Ocala Demands as its platformIt adopted the Ocala Demands as its platform – – calling it the calling it the Omaha PlatformOmaha Platform

Ocala Demands / Omaha PlatformOcala Demands / Omaha Platform

Economic and Social ProgramEconomic and Social Program

free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold (at the free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold (at the ratio of 16 to 1) ratio of 16 to 1)

an increase in the amount of currency in circulationan increase in the amount of currency in circulation introduction of a graduated income tax systemintroduction of a graduated income tax system reduction of various kinds of federal and state taxesreduction of various kinds of federal and state taxes government ownership and operation of railroads, government ownership and operation of railroads,

telegraph, and telephone lines (nationalization)telegraph, and telephone lines (nationalization) appropriation of all lands held by Corporations in appropriation of all lands held by Corporations in

excess of their needsexcess of their needs


end of absentee ownership of landend of absentee ownership of land establishment by the government of a postal establishment by the government of a postal

savings systemsavings system use of government funds to facilitate the use of government funds to facilitate the

marketing of farm products and to extend short marketing of farm products and to extend short term rural loans.term rural loans.

abolition of national banksabolition of national banks


In Politics they called forIn Politics they called for

a single term for the President and Vice Presidenta single term for the President and Vice President direct elections to the Senatedirect elections to the Senate adoption by the states of adoption by the states of initiativeinitiative (permitting voters (permitting voters

to propose laws) and to propose laws) and referendumreferendum (permitting voters (permitting voters to accept or reject laws already passed.to accept or reject laws already passed.


In solidarity with Labor they called for:In solidarity with Labor they called for:

The 8 hr work dayThe 8 hr work day Prevention of use of strike breakers during strikesPrevention of use of strike breakers during strikes Restrictions on immigration, esp. of contract laborRestrictions on immigration, esp. of contract labor

PopulismPopulism

CommentaryCommentary

““Their philosophy embraced a view of a just and stable Their philosophy embraced a view of a just and stable society. They wanted the destruction of monopolistic power society. They wanted the destruction of monopolistic power and a new social morality. Society, they claimed, had an and a new social morality. Society, they claimed, had an obligation to protect the well being of its individual citizens. It obligation to protect the well being of its individual citizens. It was not a Socialist or Revolutionary organization. They did was not a Socialist or Revolutionary organization. They did not dispute the rights of property owners (they were property not dispute the rights of property owners (they were property owners too). They did not reject industrialization, even owners too). They did not reject industrialization, even capitalism, but they rejected the capitalism, but they rejected the laissez fairelaissez faire ideas of the ideas of the time. Progress and growth should continue, they agreed, but time. Progress and growth should continue, they agreed, but it should be strictly defined by the needs of individuals and it should be strictly defined by the needs of individuals and communities.”communities.”

PopulismPopulism The new party had great successes in the elections The new party had great successes in the elections

of 1892. of 1892.

The Populist presidential candidate, James B. The Populist presidential candidate, James B. Weaver of Iowa (Greenback-Labor candidate in Weaver of Iowa (Greenback-Labor candidate in 1880) polled more than 1m popular votes - 8.5% of 1880) polled more than 1m popular votes - 8.5% of the total - and 22 electoral votes. Great achievement the total - and 22 electoral votes. Great achievement for a third party and one just a few years old. for a third party and one just a few years old.

Nearly 1,500 Populist candidates won election to Nearly 1,500 Populist candidates won election to seats in state legislatures: 3 governors, 5 senators, seats in state legislatures: 3 governors, 5 senators, and 9 congressmen were Populists. and 9 congressmen were Populists.

PopulismPopulism Numerous others, Democrats and Republicans in Numerous others, Democrats and Republicans in

Congress and in the State legislatures, also Congress and in the State legislatures, also claimed to support Populist demands. claimed to support Populist demands.

Electoral support for Populism was strongest in the Electoral support for Populism was strongest in the Far West and South, where the farm economy was Far West and South, where the farm economy was most in declinemost in decline

Populist leaders were active in demonstrating Populist leaders were active in demonstrating about the effects (bankruptcies, foreclosures, about the effects (bankruptcies, foreclosures, unemployment) of the 1893 Depression and the unemployment) of the 1893 Depression and the lack of Govt. response (Mary Lease, Coxey) lack of Govt. response (Mary Lease, Coxey)

PopulismPopulism The Depression of 1893 was caused by; The Depression of 1893 was caused by;

over-speculation in RR’s, over-speculation in RR’s, Collapse of world agricultural markets, Collapse of world agricultural markets, Foreign investors withdrew gold from the USForeign investors withdrew gold from the US

In 1894, Populist leader, Jacob Coxey (Wizard of In 1894, Populist leader, Jacob Coxey (Wizard of Oz / Gold), advocated a massive public works Oz / Gold), advocated a massive public works program, through which the govt. would spend program, through which the govt. would spend $500m to create jobs$500m to create jobs

Also advocated currency expansion through the Also advocated currency expansion through the return to bi-metallism or free silver (Dorothy’s silver return to bi-metallism or free silver (Dorothy’s silver shoes)shoes)

PopulismPopulism

When Congress ignored his When Congress ignored his proposal he decided to lead a proposal he decided to lead a march (Coxey’s Army) from Ohio march (Coxey’s Army) from Ohio to Washington DC to present the to Washington DC to present the demandsdemands

Disappointed that only 500 farmers Disappointed that only 500 farmers / workers joined the march. / workers joined the march.

Armed police greeted the Armed police greeted the protestors. Coxey and some others protestors. Coxey and some others were arrested and convicted of were arrested and convicted of illegally walking on the lawns illegally walking on the lawns outside the White House. outside the White House.

PopulismPopulism The party planned a big The party planned a big

campaign in the presidential campaign in the presidential and Congressional elections of and Congressional elections of 18961896

To enlist Populist support, To enlist Populist support, Democratic presidential Democratic presidential candidate, William Jennings candidate, William Jennings Bryan incorporated many Bryan incorporated many Populist demands in his agenda Populist demands in his agenda (esp. free silver, tariff reduction, (esp. free silver, tariff reduction, income tax, regulation of income tax, regulation of monopolies) monopolies)

PopulismPopulism In 1893 Democratic President Cleveland had In 1893 Democratic President Cleveland had

repealed the compromise made about the silver repealed the compromise made about the silver issue in the issue in the Bland Allison ActBland Allison Act (govt. to purchase (govt. to purchase $2m-$4m worth of silver a month and include it in $2m-$4m worth of silver a month and include it in determining currency levels) and the determining currency levels) and the Sherman Sherman Silver Purchase ActSilver Purchase Act which increased the amount of which increased the amount of silver purchased each month to 4.5m ouncessilver purchased each month to 4.5m ounces

In his famous In his famous Cross of Gold SpeechCross of Gold Speech Bryan Bryan promised that those who favored the gold standard promised that those who favored the gold standard would not succeed: would not succeed:

““you shall not press down upon the brow of labor you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold"mankind upon a cross of gold"

PopulismPopulism

Some Populist leaders argued that they had no Some Populist leaders argued that they had no chance of succeeding now that Bryan had adopted chance of succeeding now that Bryan had adopted Populist demands – they may as well support the Populist demands – they may as well support the Democrats, ensure that they win, and then hope Bryan Democrats, ensure that they win, and then hope Bryan is true to his word – if they opposed Bryan, the is true to his word – if they opposed Bryan, the farmers’ votes would be split, and then McKinley, the farmers’ votes would be split, and then McKinley, the Republican candidate would win easily, then they Republican candidate would win easily, then they would get nothing…would get nothing…

Others argued that by supporting Bryan they would Others argued that by supporting Bryan they would lose their identity and fade awaylose their identity and fade away

In the end, the Party decided not to run its own In the end, the Party decided not to run its own candidate for the Presidency, to support Bryancandidate for the Presidency, to support Bryan

PopulismPopulism

Business and financial interests, frightened at the Business and financial interests, frightened at the prospect of Bryan in the White House, made big prospect of Bryan in the White House, made big contributions, to the $7m raised by McKinley's contributions, to the $7m raised by McKinley's campaigncampaign

Democrats only raised $300,000. Democrats only raised $300,000.

Marcus HannaMarcus Hanna, the Ohio machine boss, managed , the Ohio machine boss, managed McKinley’s campaign, preventing him from McKinley’s campaign, preventing him from appearing in public as much as possible - appearing in public as much as possible - conducted only a "conducted only a "front porchfront porch" campaign" campaign

Bryan on the other hand campaigned nationwide – Bryan on the other hand campaigned nationwide – covered a total of 18,000 miles, covered a total of 18,000 miles,

PopulismPopulism Employers intimidated many workers into voting for Employers intimidated many workers into voting for

McKinley – threatening loss of jobs, warning about McKinley – threatening loss of jobs, warning about further economic decline if he lostfurther economic decline if he lost

Bryan himself scared away many Democratic and Bryan himself scared away many Democratic and Populist voters by the religious / revivalist tone and Populist voters by the religious / revivalist tone and style of his meetings. His appeal to old stock style of his meetings. His appeal to old stock Protestantism especially upset many immigrant Protestantism especially upset many immigrant Catholics, who normally voted for the DemocratsCatholics, who normally voted for the Democrats

Election ResultElection Result Popular Vote: McKinley 51%, Bryan 48%Popular Vote: McKinley 51%, Bryan 48% Electoral College Vote: McKinley 271, Bryan 176Electoral College Vote: McKinley 271, Bryan 176

Demise of PopulismDemise of Populism 1. As predicted by some Populist leaders, the election 1. As predicted by some Populist leaders, the election

was a disaster for the Party – it had lost its identity and was a disaster for the Party – it had lost its identity and sent a message that the Democrats represented their sent a message that the Democrats represented their positionposition

2. The discovery of huge deposits of Gold in Alaska in 2. The discovery of huge deposits of Gold in Alaska in 1900, leading to currency expansion and economic 1900, leading to currency expansion and economic improvement, was another factor in its demise improvement, was another factor in its demise

In the short term the Party achieved little - but in the In the short term the Party achieved little - but in the long term many of its demands were adopted and long term many of its demands were adopted and introduced by the Democrats and Progressives: introduced by the Democrats and Progressives: graduated income tax (16graduated income tax (16thth Amendment, 1913), eight Amendment, 1913), eight hour workday, direct election of senators (17hour workday, direct election of senators (17 thth Amendment, 1913), initiative, referendum, regulation Amendment, 1913), initiative, referendum, regulation of monopolies, post office savings accounts.... of monopolies, post office savings accounts....

farmers / farming the agricultural economy declined from the 1870s and 1880s the agricultural...

Documents

farmers complaints

high rates

frustrated farmers

rates high formed pools

farm machinery

farming slide

mortgage companies

morgan slide