The Wizard of Oz A Populist Allegory? Mr. Bach Hudson High School United States History

The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of OzA Populist Allegory?A Populist Allegory?

Mr. BachHudson High SchoolUnited States History

What Gives a Dollar What Gives a Dollar Value?Value?

• Today?

• Late 19th Century?

1919thth Century Monetary Century Monetary FightFight

• East Coast Bankers (Rich)

– Creditors (They have provided loans to farmers for land, seed, machinery, etc.)

– Back the Gold Standard

– Want the amount of currency in U.S. to stay fixed or low growth.

• Plains Farmers (Poor)

– Debtors (They have taken out loans that they must pay back)

– Back the Free Coinage of Silver

– Want the amount of currency in the U.S. to expand

““The Cross of Gold”The Cross of Gold”

• William Jennings Bryan (1896 Democratic Candidate for President)

• “You Shall Not Crucify Mankind Upon a Cross of Gold!”

The Wonderful Wizard of The Wonderful Wizard of OzOz

• Published in 1900 by L. Frank Baum

DorothyDorothy

KansasKansas

TotoToto

Wicked Witch of the Wicked Witch of the EastEast

MunchkinsMunchkins

Wicked Witch of the Wicked Witch of the WestWest

Good Witch of the SouthGood Witch of the South

Yellow Brick RoadYellow Brick Road

ScarecrowScarecrow

Tin ManTin Man

Cowardly LionCowardly Lion

Winged MonkeysWinged Monkeys

Yellow WinkiesYellow Winkies

Deadly Poppy FieldDeadly Poppy Field

Emerald CityEmerald City

The WizardThe Wizard

Hot Air BalloonHot Air Balloon

““I’m Melting!”I’m Melting!”

““Ruby” SlippersRuby” Slippers