PopulismThe Agrarian Revolt

“Farmers should raise less corn and more Hell.”

Mary Elizabeth Lease

What type of problems did farmers have after the Civil War?

• Declining crop prices due to overproduction (deflation)

• Railroad monopolies

• Debt to banks

What was the Grange?

• National farm organization

• Worked to solve the problems of farmers

• Lobbied for laws to help farmers

How did the Grange try to help farmers?

• Cooperatives: nonprofit stores owned by farmers

• State laws setting maximum railroad rates, called “Granger Laws”

• Granger laws upheld in Munn vs. Illinois Supreme Court case

Why did the Grange lose members?

• The economy got better

What was the Populist Party?

What was the Populist Party?

• National political party representing farmers

• Included former Grange members & other angry farmers

What were the economic goals of the Populist Party?

What were the economic goals of the Populist Party?

What were the economic goals of the Populist Party?

• Free silver: replace the gold standard with silver & cause inflation (more money)

• Graduated Income Tax: the more you make the more you pay, the less you make the less you pay

• Nationalize or have the government take over railroads

What were the Political goals of the Populist Party?

• Direct election of Senators• One term President• Direct Primary: voters select

nominees not party machines• Secret Ballot• Referendum: allows voters to

overturn laws• Recall: allows voters to remove

elected officials from office

What were the social goals of the Populist Party?

• Immigration restrictions

• Eight hour work day

What affect did the Populist Party have on national elections?

• Took vote from the major parties

• Major parties began to steal populist issues as their own