HIST 2112Silver and Gold: The Populist Revolt Against Revolution- Most of America is still heavily rural- Populismo The rural response to Industrialism- Populistso Farmers who are anxious about Industrialism to themselves and tothe countryo Very closely related to the labor unions Idealology very similar- Agrarianismo Farmer is a hero Hardworking Honest Independento Ideal Americanso Ideal to run a democracy Vote for the best interest of the country No other influenceso Industrialism had a tendency to destroy democracy Depend on their employer for a job, wages, food, etc. They vote when they are told to voteo Republic loved the farmero Industrialists hated them Felt they were living in the past Holding everything back- Populists are not revolutionaryo They do idealize their own pasto Not anti-progress, capitalist, etc.o Want an industrialism that is more humane- Overproductiono Too much agricultural producto The government gave away too much land Everyone became a farmero Prices dropo Hard times for all the farmers- Farmers didn’t trust the Easto Banks screwed them out of moneyo Hated the railroads because they were monopolies and could charge you as they pleased- Wealth is a product of labor- “Wealth belongs to him who makes it.”- Create farmers allianceso The alliance movemento Starts in Western New York in the 1860’s and 70’so The Patrons of Husbandry The Grange (casual name) First farmers allianceso Replaced with the National Farmer’s Alliance Equivalent of the Knights of Labor Organized like a movement- Headquarters- Officials- Hierarchy Sent speakers around the country to rally supporters Organize politically- Form a third party- They want national ownership of the railroads- Want direct election of senatorso Weren’t originally allowed to vote for senators- Want graduated income taxo Want the rich to be taxed heavilyo Don’t believe their money was earned honestly- Want all protection of industries goneo Seen as unfair assistance- Free coinage of silvero Control the supply of the crops to control priceso Get a very low loan with very low interest from the credit union to get you through untilyou sell your cropso Gold standard – money is backed up by gold There is only as much money as there is goldo Want to back up money with silver as wello Can produce more money Cause inflation through silver Populists and Democrats unify- William Jennings Bryan- Ran for both Populist and Democratic vote at the same time-
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