Populism

Cross of Gold - William Jennings Bryan
Populist Platform of 1982

IDs:

Populism, deflation, hayseed, the Grange, farmers' alliance, Ocala Demands, Populist Party (People's Party), Election of 1892, William Jennings Bryan, "Cross of Gold", bimetalism, gold standard, Populist Party Platform, free coinage (of silver), William Jennings Bryan, Populist-Democrat, Election of 1896

Tuesday Night HW Questions:

What factors led to the rise of the Populist Party during the last decades of the 19th century? What does agrarian discontent indicate about American culture during the late 19th century?

What reforms did the Populists seek? What factors contributed to the decline of the Populist movement? To what extent did the movement succeed?

In his "Cross of Gold" speech, how does Bryan (a Populist-Democrat) depict the Democratic party? What critique of his political opponents is implicit in Bryan’s speech? How does Bryan characterize cities? How does he characterize farming? What does this indicate about the cultural concerns of the Populist movement? What does Bryan mean when he says that "It is the issue of 1776 all over again."? How does Bryan depict the gold and the gold standard? How does he depict silver?

What demands do the Populists make in the Populist Party Platform?

Wednesday HW Qs:

For what economic reasons did Southern and Western ruralites favor the free coinage of Silver? What types of Americans favored the gold standard? How did Populists view the gold standard and its supporters?

How did Populists come to dominate the Democratic party in 1896? What impact did this have on the Democratic Party? What impact did this have on the Populist party?

What types of people voted for Bryan (Democratic-Populist) in the election of 1896? What types of people voted for McKinley (Republican)?

What did Bryan’s loss indicate about the weaknesses of the Populist movement?