The Closing of the West the Farmers Movements

The Closing of the West, the Farmers’ Movements & the Rise of the Populists

Turner’s Frontier Thesis ■ Reaction to the U. S. Census Bureau’s declaration that the “frontier had been settled” almost completely ■ “The Significance of the Frontier in American History” (1893) ■ Habit of independence and individualism ■ Social leveler ■ Inventive, practical-minded but wasteful of natural resources ■ Turner troubled: – Fresh start no longer possible – Potential for class division/social conflict

Farmers’ Problems • Crop prices fell • Farmers had no cash, went further into debt, and their lenders foreclosed on their mortgages • The railroad companies charged outrageous prices to ship crops (no regulation!)

Farmers’ Demands • Regulate the railroad companies (Stop them from charging such high rates) • Make cash more available (back the dollar with silver, not gold, so dollar would be worth less) • Constitutional demands: single term for President and Vice-President, secret ballot, popular election of Senators • To get industrial workers to support them: 8 -hour workday, restrict immigration

The Granger Movement ■ The 1 st attempt to organize farmers began with the Grangers: –Grangers grew angry at the exploitive practices of Eastern bankers, railroads, & wholesalers –Grangers formed co-op stores, banks, & grain elevators ■ The Grange died in the depression of the 1870 s, but established the precedent of farmer organization

The National Farmers’ Alliance ■ In 1890, the National Farmers’ Alliance replaced the Grange as the leading farmers’ group ■ In 1890, made Ocala Demands: Demands –Allow farmers to store crops in gov’t silos when prices are bad –Free-coinage of silver, a federal income tax, & regulation of RRs –Direct election of U. S. senators

The Populist Party ■ In 1890, farmers & factory workers formed the Populist Party: Party 3 governors, 10 congressmen, 5 senators, –Their platform included the & dominated the statean 8 -hour day, Ocala Demands, governments of Idaho, NV, CO, KS, & ND gov’t control of RRs & banks, the breakup of monopolies, & tighter immigration restrictions –Populists emerged as a powerful 3 rd party & got numerous state & national politicians elected

1892 Presidential Election: Populist candidate won over a million votes!

1896 Election ■ ■ Democrats – 1890 s Southerners Wealthy farmers Supported low tariffs (wanted other countries to buy their crops) ■ Republicans – 1890 s ■ Northerners ■ Wealthy business men (connected to the railroad) ■ Southern African Americans (poor farmers) ■ Supported high tariffs (didn’t want to compete with other countries’ products)

1896 Election ■ Populists decide to improve their chances by supporting the Democratic candidate, William Jennings Bryan, who agreed to support the silver-backed dollar. ■ Republicans nominated William Mc. Kinley

The Election of 1896 “Having behind us the producing masses…we will answer their demand for the gold standard ‘You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. ’”

Bryan: The Farmers’ Friend 18, 000 miles of campaign “whistle stops”

The election of 1896 killed the Populist Party, but key Populist ideas (income tax, The& direct election of Senators) Election of 1896 secret ballot, would be enacted by other parties

Central Historical Question Why did the Populist Party attract millions of supporters?

Mary Elizabeth Lease ■ Before we read…take notes in the margins of this document on the following: – Who wrote this? When? – What was going on for farmers at the time? Lease is a woman who is speaking to a group of women. What does this say about women’s involvement in politics in the 1890 s

Mary Elizabeth Lease ■ Read paragraph 1: How is this supposed to make the audience feel? Why might she use religious references? ■ Read the 2 nd and 3 rd paragraphs: How was this supposed to make the audience feel? Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? What emotions does she appeal to? ■ Read the final paragraph: How was this supposed to make the audience feel?

William Jennings Bryan ■ This is a passage from the famous “Cross of Gold Speech” ■ Volunteer to read the document ■ With a partner, answer the guiding questions.

Do this in class, finish for HW if necessary ■ This is a passage from the famous “Cross of Gold Speech” ■ Volunteer to read the document ■ With a partner, answer the guiding questions. ■ Collaborate to write the paragraph as noted at the bottom of the handout.