The Rise and Fall of Populism

The Rise and Fall of Populism in the United States

• The mechanization of farming and droughts led to hard times for small family farmers, while large companies called bonanza farms thrived.
• Small farmers dropped prices to compete with large companies, resulting in barely being able to pay their own bills.
• Farmers' grievances included the regulation of railroads and a desire for inflation.
• The Grangers formed after the civil war and created farming co-ops to sell directly to consumers, cut out the middle-man, and regulate railroads.
• The Farmers Alliances grew throughout the west and established their own credit unions to create solutions to issues.
• The Populist movement was born from the Farmers Alliances and aimed to help the average individual.
• The Populist platform included government loans and storage centers for crops, regulation of railroads, bimetallism, and the direct election of senators.
• The Panic of 1893 resulted in an economic collapse and a 9-year depression, causing farmers to produce too many goods with no market for them.
• The silver question of whether to back money with silver or gold was brought up in the 1896 election.
• The Populist party's attempt to run as a third party became more difficult, leading to a failed "fusion" with the Democratic party.
• William Jennings Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech rallied farmer support and led to a "fusion" with the Democrats, but McKinley ultimately became president.
• The Gold Standard Act of 1900 standardized US currency with only gold being used as the precious metal, and Populism lost popularity and support.

How much do you know about the rise and fall of Populism in the United States? Test your knowledge with this informative quiz covering the formation of the Farmers Alliances, the birth of the Populist movement, and the factors that led to its decline. From the regulation of railroads to the silver question, this quiz will challenge your understanding of this important period in American history. So, put on your thinking cap and see how well you fare!