Populist Movement Flashcards
When and where did Populism form with what said purpose at the time?
1892 at a convention in Omaha. They had formed the party with the aim to fight the Democrats and Republicans as a true “People’s Party”.
What did the Populists think about the two main parties?
That they were not governing for the people but for personal interests of the plutocracy. They had neglected ordinary workers and farmers and there was too much corruption of the “ballot box” as well as the overall system.
Why was the 1896 election significant in America?
First election to use modern campaign methods.
Who did William McKinley hire to create his campaign?
Mark Hanna
Who did McKinley hire to create his campaign?
Mark Hanna
What kind of methods did both candidates use before the 1896 election?
McKinley: Propaganda to tarnish Bryan’s name, sent 1,500 speakers into undecided swing states, got large Million dollar donations from corporations.
Bryan: Travelled 28,000 km and gave 600 speeches. More traditional.
What dissuaded some of the electorate to vote for Bryan?
His support of Free Silver which many factory workers and factory owners feared. The economy was on more of a upswing (factors effected workers less).
What were the election outcomes?
McKinley had been elected with a 271 Electoral Majority.
What was the main Populist demographic?
Farmers, some urban workers, reformers and some radicals.
What were the reasons for the emergence of the Populist Party?
Wanting to create inflation through bimetallism, farmers challenged with high interest rates and feeling exploited by bankers and large corporations, agricultural discontent, feeling of abandonment by the government of farmers, high tariff’s
What were some of the Populist Party aims?
Free Silver Coinage, regulation of railroad prices, graduate income tax, democratic election of US senators, more government regulation of farm prices and making it illegal for foreigners to buy US land.
What are some of the views of historians on Populism?
They were idyllic reactionaries trying to recapture a past based on farming/ they were liberal forward thinkers who inspired some of the Progressive movement.
