1. Background:
- Economic and social problems faced by farmers in the late 19th century led to the rise of the Farmers' and Populist Movements in the United States.
- Farmers experienced declining crop prices, high transportation costs, increased debt, and unfair railroad practices.
2. Farmers' Movement:
- The Farmers' Movement focused on addressing specific concerns of farmers, including economic issues such as debt relief and fair crop pricing.
- Farmers' organizations like the Grange and Farmers' Alliances advocated for collective action and political reforms.
3. Populist Movement:
- The Populist Movement emerged in the 1890s as a broader political movement representing farmers, workers, and other disaffected groups.
- Populists advocated for a range of reforms, including government regulation of railroads and monopolies, expansion of the money supply, and direct election of senators.
4. Key Demands of Populists:
- They sought to curb the influence of big businesses and monopolies that were seen as exploiting farmers and consumers.
- They advocated for government intervention in the form of regulations to control corporate power.
5. Omaha Platform (1892):
- The Omaha Platform was a key document that outlined Populist demands. It called for:
- An increase in the money supply to combat deflation and low prices.
- Government ownership of certain industries, such as railroads and telegraphs.
- A graduated income tax to redistribute wealth more equitably.
6. Populist Party:
- In 1892, the Populist Party was formed, bringing together diverse groups with shared grievances against the established political order.
- The party nominated James B. Weaver as its presidential candidate, who garnered over 1 million votes in the election but failed to win.
7. Influence on American Politics:
- Although the Farmers' and Populist Movements did not achieve many immediate successes, they played a crucial role in shaping American political discourse.
- Their demands for economic reforms, regulation of big businesses, and government accountability laid the groundwork for subsequent progressive reforms in the early 20th century.