Lesson 1.04: Populist Movement

• Introduction
• Farmers Organize
• Political Cartoon
• Practice
• Task

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to: Explain the reason why farmers began to mobilize politically in the late 1800s. Discuss the formation of the Grange, Farmers' Alliance, and Populist Party. Evaluate the motivation for and impact of the Populist Movement. The above objectives correspond with the following Alabama Course of Study Objectives: ACOS 1.2Identifying the changing role of the American farmer, including the establishment of the Grange movement and the Populist Party and agrarian rebellion over currency issues.

 

	Peoples Party at Columbus Nebraska
Peoples Party at Columbus Nebraska. United States Library of Congress Prints and Photographs nbhips 10007.

Meeting of the People's Party in 1890.

 

Overview

In the late 1800s, farmers from the South and West initiated a grassroots effort to draw greater attention to the issues that affected farmers. After years of suffering with very little support or concern in Washington, farmers organized a series of political parties; first the Grange Party, followed by the Farmers' Alliance, and finally the Populist Party (People's Party). The Populist Movement that ensued became a powerful force politically with Populist candidates winning seats at the state, local, and national levels. Together they were able to generate support for regulations and policies that helped the beleaguered farmer. After achieving big gains in the 1890s, the Populist Movement faded from American politics. The movement, however, left a definitive mark on the American political system by altering political alliances of the Republican and Democratic parties.