Warm Up. and Fall of the Populist Movement. the Populist Party (WHY) are associated with the founding of the Populist Party (WHO) USA (WHAT)

Transcription

1 Warm Up 1) Finish reading the document on the Rise and Fall of the Populist Movement A. Highlight all the events that led to the creation of the Populist Party (WHY) B. Underline all the people or groups of people who are associated with the founding of the Populist Party (WHO) C. Box in all effects of the Populist party on the USA (WHAT)

2 THE POPULIST MOVEMENT

3 American Farmers I. American farmers faced many problems in the late 1800 s Farmers were trapped in a terrible economic cycle that led many to go deep into debt, declare bankruptcy and lose their farms & homes I Because they faced similar problems many farmers banded together to solve them together

4 Farmers grow too many crops & prices fall Take out loans for equipment & supplies Crop prices fall due to over production Farmers mortgage their land and take out loans to buy more land to grow more crops make more money Farmers can t pay off their debt

5 THE FARMERS PROBLEMS I. The number of Farmers was decreasing in the USA. I IV. A. Less Americans are farming à less Americans care about farmers Crop prices falling. A. Crops sell for less à less money for the farmer Farm machinery = expensive!! A. Taking out loans to pay for farm equipment Shipping costs = expensive A. Railroads charge farmers high shipping rates V. Farmers have no money à go further into debt A. Take out loans to pay off debt à go deeper into debt

6 YEAR Wheat Prices Bushels Grown (millions) $ $ $ $ $ $ $.62 Price per bushel (dollars)

7 American Economic Problems I. The famers problems were part of a much bigger economic issue facing the USA The USA economy was in a deflationary period where the amount of money in circulation was decreasing A. Greenbacks (paper money) issued during the Civil War had not value B. U.S. government stopped circulation of greenbacks I Deflation led prices to decrease (good for consumers) which hurt farmers who struggled pay of debt

8 Farmers Want Cheap Money I. Farmers want money supply to increase (inflation) A. Increase in money à easier to pay off debt Farmers want the U.S. government to issue money using gold and silver to support currency A. Gold and silver would increase the money supply à make money cheap B. Products would cost more but there would be more money to use I Farmers are upset the money they are using to pay their loans costs more than the money they borrowed (harder to get)

9 The Problem With Railroads I. During the late 19 th century farmer struggled with incredibly high shipping rates on railroads Railroads were the only way for farmers and ranchers to sell their products I High shipping rates meant farmers struggled to be profitable

10 DO NOW 1 Go to this link: 2 There you find directions on what to do: 3 You will create a Venn Diagram of the gold standard and bimetallism 4 Compare the two monetary practices and see how this issue became important in the USA during the late 1800s

11 The Farmers Alliance I. In an attempt to improve the lives of farmers they began organizing together for change Oliver Kelly established the first farmer s organization = Patrons of Husbandry. A. It was better known as the Grange Movement I Farmers believe they can make effective change by banding together

12 THE GRANGE MOVEMENT I. The Grange Movement was an educational organization for rural farmers I Attempted to fix the problems farmers faced Advocated: A. Reduced storage rates B. Reduced railroad rates C. Improved living conditions of the farmers. IV. Led to other groups like the Farmers Alliance & Colored Farmers National Alliance

13 Populist Party I. The Grange, Farmer s Alliance and Color Farmer s National Alliance created the Populist Party or People s Party The political party was created to represent the average worker in America I The Populist wanted several financial and political reforms passed into law

14 THE POPULIST PARTY

15 The Populist Movement I. The Populist Party was created to give the average people a voice in American government Populists fought for farmers, industrial workers and other blue collar jobs I The Populist Party platform was created to give the people more political power

16 THE POPULIST PARTY PLATFORM I. INCREASE THE MONEY SUPPLY A. More money for the average worker GRADUATED INCOME TAX A. Make more money à pay more in taxes I FEDERAL FARMERS LOAN PROGRAM A. U.S. government could loan farmers money at low interest rate IV. ELECTING U.S. SENATOR BY POPULAR VOTE (PEOPLE) V. SINGLE TERM FOR PRESIDENT & VP VI. 8 HOUR WORKDAY à 8 HRS WORK, 8 PLAY, 8 SLEEP

17 Rise of Populist Party I. The Populist party became very popular A. Western & Southern United States Assisted struggling farmers, factory workers and the average American I Populist programs would eventually merge with the Democratic Party A. The government is responsible for assisting injustices

18 ARE YOU WITH ME?? 1 Discuss two problems of the American farmer in the late 1800s: Why do farmers want American money backed with gold and silver instead of gold? 3 How does having more money assist farmers with their debt? 4 What political party was created to assist farmers with the problems they faced?

19 DO NOW 1 Create a political advertisement for the Populist Party 2 Keep in mind that this is a political party created to give power to the people 3 Be sure to include information about the party platform that was previously discussed in the notes. 4 Be sure to include the problems that the Populist Party will solve. 5 Appeal to the person who is most likely to vote Populist

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