Exploring American HistoryExploring American HistoryUnit VI – A Growing AmericaUnit VI – A Growing America

Chapter 18

Section 3 – Farming and Populism

Farming and PopulismFarming and PopulismThe Big Idea

Settlers on the Great Plains created new communities and unique political groups.

Main Ideas

• Many Americans started new lives on the Great Plains.

• Economic challenges led to the creation of farmers’ political groups.

• By the 1890s, the western frontier had come to an end.

FarmingFarming

New Lives in the WestNew Lives in the West

Building Building Communities Communities

–Annie Annie BidwellBidwell

Blizzards on the PlainsBlizzards on the Plains

Main Idea 1: Many Americans started new lives on Main Idea 1: Many Americans started new lives on

the Great Plains.the Great Plains. • Two important land-grant acts helped open the West to

settlers in 1862.

– The Homestead Act.

– The Morrill Act.

• People who made new lives in the West included women, immigrants, and African Americans.

– Exodusters

Homestead Act - 1862Homestead Act - 1862

Morrill Act -Morrill Act - 1862 1862

New lives on the PlainsNew lives on the Plains

• How did the Homestead Act and Morrill Act open up the West?

• What were some of the Challenges of farming on the Plains?

• Why did the Plains farmers give up on crops such as corn?

• Who was Annie Bidwell

• How did the formation of communities help the settlers.

Farmers on the Great PlainsFarmers on the Great Plains

• ReasonsReasons • ChallengesChallenges • Political Political ChallengesChallenges

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:Economic challenges led to the creation of Economic challenges led to the creation of

farmers’ political groups.farmers’ political groups.

• The United States was growing The United States was growing during the period 1860-1900.during the period 1860-1900.

• Farm incomes fell.Farm incomes fell.

• Farmers formed associations to Farmers formed associations to protect their interests.protect their interests.

Farmers- during and after the Civil WarFarmers- during and after the Civil War..

•During the Civil War.

•After the War.

The National Grange and the RailroadsThe National Grange and the Railroads

The National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry.The National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry.

The Grange called for laws.The Grange called for laws.

The Supreme Court ruled:The Supreme Court ruled:• 1877 1877 • 18861886

Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887-Act in 1887-

Farmers’ reform movementsFarmers’ reform movements

• Interstate Commerce Act of 1887-

Free Silver Free Silver DebateDebate

Free Silver Debate and the Populist PartyFree Silver Debate and the Populist Party

Populist PartyPopulist Party

Sherman Silver Purchase Act- 1890Sherman Silver Purchase Act- 1890

The Sherman Silver The Sherman Silver Purchase Act was Purchase Act was enacted in 1890 as a enacted in 1890 as a United States federal United States federal law. A compromise law. A compromise with the advocates of with the advocates of free and unlimited free and unlimited coinage of silver. coinage of silver.

Populist PartyPopulist Party- - The goal was not just to relieve economic

pressure on agriculture, but also to restore democracy by eliminating what the Populists saw as the corrupt and corrupting alliance between business and government.

• Platform: Omaha 1892

Mary Lease

• PoliticianPolitician

• Supported Supported

• PopulistPopulist

• Influential speaker and newspaper Influential speaker and newspaper editoreditor

• Democratic candidate for president in Democratic candidate for president in

• Populists supported Bryan.Populists supported Bryan.

• One Main Issue-One Main Issue-

William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan

Populist PartyPopulist Party

• Election of 1896

– Republican William McKinley-

– Democrat/Populist William Jennings Bryant-

Farmers Political GroupsFarmers Political Groups

• Why did farm incomes fall?

• What is the National Grange?

• Do you think the government should have regulated railroad rates to help farmers?

• What were Farmer’s Alliances?

• What were the Populist Party’s main issues?

• What did the 1896 election results sayh about the Americans’ view on the free silver debate?

Main Idea 3: By the 1890s, the western Main Idea 3: By the 1890s, the western frontier had come to an end.frontier had come to an end.

• Only small portions of the Great Only small portions of the Great Plains remained unsettled by 1870. Plains remained unsettled by 1870.

• Oklahoma land rush.Oklahoma land rush.

• The frontier had ceased to exist in The frontier had ceased to exist in the United States by the early 1890s.the United States by the early 1890s.

Main Idea 3: By the 1890s, the western Main Idea 3: By the 1890s, the western frontier had come to an end.frontier had come to an end.

• To whom did the land claimed by To whom did the land claimed by homesteaders in the Oklahoma land homesteaders in the Oklahoma land rush previously belong?rush previously belong?

• Why do you think so many people Why do you think so many people rushed to Oklahoma to claim land?rushed to Oklahoma to claim land?