“We the People” Push Back during the Gilded Age

The Granger Movement

Goals of the Grangers (1860s and 1870s)

• Organize Midwestern Farmers

• Protest Discriminatory Railroad Rebates

• Example of Lobbying (Special Interest) Group

• Actions led to State of Illinois passing the Granger Laws

Munn v Illinois- The Grangers Win!

Wabash v Illinois- Not So fast, remember federalism?

Congress Reforms Government

• Pendleton Act (1882)- Ends Spoils System and Starts Civil Service Exams

• Interstate Commerce Act (1887)- ended discriminatory rebates and created the I.C.C. to investigate business abuses

• Sherman Anti- Trust Act (1890)- banned trusts (type of monopoly)

Rise of the Populist Party

• Farmers and Labor Unions unite to form a third (minor) political party

• Develop the Omaha Platform

Omaha Platform

• Wealth belongs to those who create it• Gov’t Own Railroad and Telephone• Minimum Wage and 40 hour work week• Limit Immigration• Graduated (Progressive) Income Tax• Secret Ballots• Direct Election of Senators• Coin Silver (Not just gold)

William Jennings Bryan

Cross of Gold Speech

The Wizard of Oz?