Populism

Bell work 11/1

• Why were people drawn (pulled) to the West after the Civil War?

(remember- West means the new territories in the middle of the country)

oklahoma land rush

p. 66 The Populist Party

1. Life of the Farmers

• Free land was dry and hard to farm• Natural disasters: drought and tornados• Huge debt

2. The Grange Movement 1867(French for “farm”)

• Social movement: farm life was lonely – Secret order, held parties– Chatting exposed common

issues: debt and villain (Railroad)

• Lobby state legislature (law makers)- raise shipping rates

3. Solution: Inflation

• Puts more money in the system• Inlfation explained• Opposite of The Gold Standard: back our

dollars with gold (good for the rich)

4. The Populist Party• “the people’s party”• William Jennings Bryant:

Cross of Gold Speech=

• Wanted:– Free coinage of silver– Ability to recall elected – 1 term limit for Pres.

Primary Sources

HIPPO- Form an argument about the famers at the

time: