Fire on the Plains The Populist Movement. Focus Question What is the best way to correct wrongs in...
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Transcript of Fire on the Plains The Populist Movement. Focus Question What is the best way to correct wrongs in...
Fire on the PlainsThe Populist Movement
Focus QuestionWhat is the best way to correct
wrongs in society?
Homestead Act of 1862Claim 160 acres of public land
◦Agree to work the land for 5 years◦Build a house 12 by 14◦Gained land for
a $10 title fee◦Could buy land early
for $1.25 an acre
EligibilityAdult male heads of household
eligibleMust be a citizen or plan to
become oneOriginally could not have served
in Confederate Army (amended)
Difficult LifeFaced hardships
◦ Far from neighbors◦ Arid conditions◦ Faced numerous pests◦ Lacked many comforts
ResultHelped populate the westMore than 1.6 million applications
processedMore than 270 million acres
grantedMore than 60% failed
Roots of the People’s Party
The Closing of the Frontier1890 Census found that there
was no longer an “unbroken line of settlement”
Idea spread that “free land”was going away
Forced a re-thinking of the future of the U.S.
Growth of Industrial AgricultureAgriculture flowed to the
industrial worldUnhealthy situation for marginal
farmerEconomic hardship of the 1880s
Abuses of the RailroadsRailroad monopolies threatened
farmers◦Sought escape from business
policies◦Captured by the rail.
Prompted other reform groups◦The Grange◦The Farmers Alliance
Reforms ProposedGrangers Laws in the Midwest
◦Regulation of the railroads◦Removed rebates◦Required publication of rate changes◦Declared constitutional in Munn v.
Illinois 1877◦State regulations restricted in
Wabash v. Illinois 1886Became part of the Interstate
Commerce Act of 1886
Formation of the People’s PartyFarmers established a new political party
in 1890◦Promoted the needs and views of the “People”◦Farmers and Labor
Called for an adjustment of the system◦Regulation and national ownership of
railroads◦National ownership of banks◦The Income Tax◦Direct Election of Senators◦Currency based on silver