Objective 4.03

Describe the causes and effects of the financial difficulties that plagued the

American farmer and trace the rise and decline of Populism.

“Cross of Gold”• If they dare to come out in the open field and

defend the gold standard as a good thing, we shall fight them to the uttermost, having behind us the producing masses of the nation and the world. Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.

The Grange

Organization organized by farmers for social gatherings, developed into a political organization, founded by Oliver Hudson Kelley

National Farmer’s Alliance

Along with the Grange represented the ideas and desires of Western Farmers

Southern Alliance

Similar to National Farmers Alliance, formed to represent farmers in the South

Colored Farmers Alliance

Similar to National Farmer’s Alliance, formed for African American Farmers

Omaha PlatformPlanks included; Direct Election of Senators, low interest rates on loans to farmers. Graduated income tax, new banking system, regulation of the railroads

Interstate Commerce Act

1887, re-established the right of the federal government to supervise railroad activity and established the Interstate Commerce Committee

Rebates

Kickbacks for Companies using different railroad companies

“Cross of Gold” Speech

Speech by William Jennings Bryan over the debate between the Gold Standard and Bimetallism

Greenbacks

Name for paper money; based on the green ink used to print dollars

Homework

• How and why was the plight of the American farmer so different from that of other Americans?

• Why did so many farmers support Populism?

• How can economically oppressed groups make their voices heard politically?