The Revolt of the Farmers and the Rise of the Populist Party

1
The Revolt of the Farmers and the Rise of the
Populist Party

• (1880s 1890s)

2
Problems of the Farmers

• Agricultural Revolution
• Use of science and technology applied to farming
• Overproduction of crops led to lower prices and
  lower profits
• Fewer farmers were needed
• Added expense lower profit
• Need for more education

3
(Problems)

• Cycle of Debt
• Agricultural prices declined
• Railroad rates increased
• High prices for manufactured goods
• Debts increased
• Gold standard made it expensive to borrow money
  and/or repay debts

4
(Problems)

• Farmers numbers decreased
• Fewer farmers could grow more food
• Size of farms increased
• More pressure on individual farmers
• Less political influence for farmers

5
What did the farmers do?

• The Grange
• Social organization to end isolation of farmers
• Economic Cooperatives to buy supplies in bulk and
  share expensive equipment
• Political activities support granger laws at
  state and local levels to address farmers concerns

6
Formation of the Populist Party

• Dissatisfied with the Democratic and Republican
  parties
• Concerned with the political corruption in
  government
• Slogan Raise less corn and more hell

7
Issues of the Populists

• Unlimited coinage of silver in the ratio 161
• Graduated Income Tax
• Secret ballot
• Direct Election of US Senators
• Initiative, Referendum Recall

• Government ownership of Railroads, Telephone,
  Telegraph systems
• Shorter work day
• Immigration limits
• Sub-treasury system