APUSH Time Period 7: Populist Party

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Questions and Answers

What economic situation worked against farmers during the emergence of the Populist Party?

Supply and demand lowered prices.

What did farmers blame for their economic troubles?

Banks

Laissez-faire policies

Government intervention

Railroads (correct)

What monetary standard did farmers think limited economic activity?

Gold standard

What was a key proposal of the Populist Party regarding the monetary system?

Free coinage of silver Signup and view all the answers

Who did the Populist Party nominate for President?

James B. Weaver Signup and view all the answers

Which candidate supported the gold standard in the Election of 1896?

William McKinley Signup and view all the answers

The election of 1896 led to the strengthening of the Populist Party.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did the Progressive Era focus on?

Building a more democratic society. Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Populists and Progressives share?

Rejecting laissez-faire policies. Signup and view all the answers

What role did women play in the Progressive Era?

Activists for community improvement. Signup and view all the answers

Which movement did women play a key role in during the Progressive Era?

Temperance Movement Signup and view all the answers

What amendment gave women the right to vote?

19th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

The Progressives actively addressed racial discrimination during their reforms.

False Signup and view all the answers

Who became the youngest president in history after McKinley's assassination?

Theodore Roosevelt Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Anthracite Coal Strike in 1902?

It marked the first time a President intervened in a labor dispute as an impartial arbiter. Signup and view all the answers

What did Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' expose?

Labor exploitation in meatpacking Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Federal Reserve Act?

To establish a system of banks coordinated by a Federal Reserve Board. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Clayton Antitrust Act strengthen?

The Sherman Antitrust Act Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Rise And Fall Of The Populist Party

Farmers faced economic struggles due to supply/demand issues; increased production lowered prices.
Farmers blamed railroads for monopolistic pricing, resulting in debt as they borrowed for home and equipment purchases.
Post-Civil War deflation doubled farmers' repayment amounts; they saw the gold standard as favorable to bankers, believing free silver would alleviate their debts.

The Birth Of The Populist Party

Farmers united to form the Populist Party, seeing themselves as victims of an unjust system.
The party included farmers, labor leaders, and women's rights activists, advocating for government control of railroads, free silver, 8-hour workdays, direct Senate elections, and a graduated income tax.
James B. Weaver was nominated for president, receiving 9% of the vote and gaining Congressional seats.

The Election Of 1896

Republicans selected William McKinley, a proponent of the gold standard; Democrats chose William Jennings Bryan, supporting free silver.
The Populists endorsed Bryan to prevent splitting the silver vote, despite losing some party legitimacy.
McKinley secured votes largely in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, leading to his victory.

Consequences Of The Election Of 1896

The election effectively ended the Populist Party; the silver issue diminished due to new gold strikes increasing the money supply.
European crop failures boosted American exports and farmers experienced renewed prosperity.
Republican dominance began, yet the Populists' ideals influenced the later Progressive movement.

From Populism To Progressivism

The end of the Populist Party led to a shift in reform efforts to a new generation of middle-class reformers addressing urbanization and industrialization.
Progressivism spanned from 1900 to 1917, focusing on establishing a more democratic society.

Key Elements Of The Progressive Spirit

Both Populists and Progressives opposed laissez-faire policies, advocating for active government intervention to solve social issues.
Progressives rejected Social Darwinism, emphasizing the capacity of citizens to create beneficial societal changes.

The Muckrakers

Investigative journalists, or muckrakers, highlighted corrupt practices through publications in magazines like Collier's and McClure's.
Their reporting led to a public outcry for reforms and played a crucial role in the Progressive movement.

The "New Woman"

The Progressive Era saw the emergence of the "New Woman," with middle-class women transitioning from domesticity to active community involvement.
Women played a significant role in advocating for social change during this period.

Clubs And Settlement Houses

Women embraced maternalism, seeking to enhance community well-being through clubs that pushed for public services like libraries and playgrounds.
Jane Addams pioneered the settlement house movement, creating platforms for women to gain leadership experience.

The Temperance Movement

Women were pivotal in the temperance movement, led by the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) with around 150,000 members advocating against alcohol consumption.
Their influence contributed to the passage of the 18th Amendment, prohibiting alcohol manufacture and sale.

Women's Suffrage

Women's suffrage efforts gained momentum in the Progressive Era, marked by rallies, petitions, and marches.
The 19th Amendment, passed in 1919, granted women the right to vote, marking a significant expansion of voting rights.

Continuity And Change

Despite progress, women still lacked political power post-Progressive Era and faced barriers in professional fields, with continued struggles for African-American women.
The 1920s saw a shift back to leisure, while the Great Depression revived reform efforts, laying groundwork for later governmental involvement in public life.

Roosevelt And The Square Deal

Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest U.S. President after McKinley's assassination, championing Progressive reforms and government intervention.

The Anthracite Coal Strike, 1902

During the United Mine Workers' strike, Roosevelt threatened federal intervention when mine owners refused to negotiate, marking the first impartial presidential intervention in labor disputes.

TR And The Trusts

By 1901, economic trusts had significant power; Progressives believed they restricted trade.
TR enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act, targeting monopolistic practices, notably breaking up the National Securities Company.

Consumer Protection

Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" exposed poor conditions in the meatpacking industry, leading to public demand for reform.
Legislation like the Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act set new standards for food safety.

Roosevelt And The Environment

Increased awareness of environmental exploitation led to conservation efforts, with creation of national parks to protect natural resources.
Roosevelt supported the conservation movement, significantly increasing forest preserve acreage.

Roosevelt And The Preservationists

Preservationists advocated for minimal human impact on nature; John Muir was a notable figure promoting access for enjoyment rather than utilization of land.
Roosevelt added five national parks in alignment with these preservationist values.

The Hetch Hetchy Controversy

A debate arose over the Hetch Hetchy Valley's use for a dam; conservationists led by Pinchot favored it, while preservationists led by Muir opposed it.
Roosevelt ultimately sided with Pinchot, permitting the project to provide water to San Francisco.

Making Connections: Land Use Policy

Pinchot's management approach influenced significant land use projects like Hoover Dam and the Tennessee Valley Authority, while Muir's principles shaped national monument policies.

Wilson And Progressive Reform

Despite expectations, Taft's presidency alienated Progressives, paving the way for Wilson's election on a reform platform.

"The Triple Wall of Privilege"

Wilson targeted the "triple wall of privilege," which consisted of tariffs, banking, and trusts.
Legislation achieved included a reduction in tariffs and the establishment of the Federal Reserve System.

Racial Discrimination

Wilson and many Progressives largely ignored racial discrimination, perpetuating the Jim Crow Laws that were prevalent in the South.

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Description

Explore the causes and effects surrounding the rise and fall of the Populist Party during Time Period 7 of APUSH. This quiz covers essential concepts like supply and demand impacts on farmers and the role of railroads in agricultural economics. Test your understanding of this critical era in American history.