Populists and Farmers
What political party was formed in the 1890s to represent farmers, workers, and others who felt ignored by the major political parties?
Populists or Peoples Party
What document outlined many of the Populist Party's goals?
The Omaha Platform
What were greenbacks?
Paper money issued by the federal government, particularly during the Civil War.
What is inflation
A general increase in prices that reduces the purchasing power of money.
What is an income tax?
A tax placed on a person's or organization's income.
What organization of farmers helped inspire the Populist movement?
Farmers Alliance
What did Populists want the government to do about railroads?
They wanted greater government regulation or government ownership of railroads
What is the gold standard?
A monetary system in which a nation's currency is tied to a specific value of gold
What is deflation?
Answer: A general decrease in prices, often associated with a reduction in the money supply.
Question: What was a poll tax?
Answer: A tax that people had to pay in order to vote, which was used to disenfranchise many African Americans and poor voters.
An organization in which farmers worked together to buy supplies or sell their crops in order to gain better prices.
What was a cooperativ
Who was the famous 1896 presidential candidate who supported free silver?
William Jennings Bryan
What is bimetallism?
Economy backed by both gold and silver
Who generally benefits from deflation—debtors or creditors?
Creditors, because the money they receive has greater purchasing power
What was a literacy test?
Answer: A test requiring voters to demonstrate reading or civic knowledge, often administered unfairly to prevent African Americans from voting.
Why did many farmers join cooperatives?
To reduce costs, increase their bargaining power, and get better prices for their crops and supplies.
What famous speech did William Jennings Bryan give in support of free silver?
The "Cross of Gold" speech
What was a "silverite"?
A person who supported free silver and the unlimited coinage of silver.
Why did deflation hurt many farmers?
Answer: Farmers received less money for their crops, while their debts remained fixed, making those debts harder to repay.
What was a grandfather clause?
Answer: A law that allowed people to vote if their ancestors had been eligible to vote before a certain date, helping exclude many African Americans from voting while protecting many white voters from literacy tests and poll taxes.
What was one major goal of the Populist Party?
To give farmers and working people greater political and economic power and reform government and the economy
Why did many farmers believe the nation's economic system favored banks and wealthy business owners?
Farmers faced high debt, falling crop prices, railroad costs, and deflation, while creditors and large corporations often benefited from stable or increasing money values.
What was a "goldbug"?
A person who supported the gold standard and opposed free silver.
What was the Pendleton Act?
Answer: A law that established a merit-based system for hiring certain federal government employees.
Which political party was the major party associated with many Southern white politicians during the late 1800s?
Democratic