Free Essays on Populist Party

There were a few reasons why the Populists emerged in the late 19th century. This third political party originated in America in the later part of the 19th century. This party was derived from farmer’s discontent and also an economic distress. The discontent was caused by the country’s shift from an agricultural and agrarian America to an America in which industrialists dominated the nation’s development. The public felt as if they had been cheated by the robber barons. These robber barons, a term given to those who took advantage of the middle and lower classes, legally took advantage of classes inferior to them. Vanderbilt, a well-known railroad baron once said, â€Å"Law! What do I care about the law? Hain’t I got the power?† The change from agrarian to industrial had a profound effect on everyone’s life. Ignatius Donnelly, a leader in the Populist Party wrote, â€Å"We meet in the midst of a nation brought to the verge of moral, political, and material ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot-box, the Legislatures, the Congress, and touches even the ermine of the bench . . . A vast conspiracy against mankind has been organized â€Å" As a result of this significant change, several reform movements were commenced. Prohibition began along with socialism and the Greenback Labor Party. Each of these was created in hope of making a difference for themselves or for the country. The farmers in particular were distraught for four reasons: physical problems, social and intellectual concerns, economic difficulties, and political frustrations. The physical problems was the climate. Following 1885 there was an immense drought on the merican prarie making the land less farmable, and causing the land to earn the epithet the Dust Bowl. Furthermore, there were extreme blizzards resulting in innumerable deaths of cattle and livestock. Also, farms were very isolated causing the women and children to lead a life of solitude and boredom. The far... Free Essays on Populist Party Free Essays on Populist Party The ride of the Populist Party attained its greatest strength during the 1800’s resulting from the support of the farmers and delegates from labor and reform groups. They tended to support an increase in money supply, by printing more paper or by coining silver, better government regulation of business, and other alterations they hoped would help farmers and laborer. In 1891, farmers and delegates from labor and reform groups met to discuss these issues. Here they formed the People’s Party, most famously known as the Populist Party. The Populist Party was known for its high-spirited leaders, who stimulated the public with inspiring speeches. The Populist movement also made a remarkable attempt to create new and independent culture for the countries farmers (Blum 286). The party soon began to take off, gaining recognition throughout the states by the 1890’s. In the 1892 election, the party nominated James B. Weaver of Iowa who stood on the platform of free silver. With silver restored to its significant status, Populists argues, that the nation would have more money for circulation. This steady rise in the value of the dollar would end, and farmers would finally receive the high prices they needed. Weaver was also an advocate of government ownership of railroads, and telegraphs and telephone lines, along with other political reforms. Even though they fought hard, they did not win the election. However, their lose if the election did not diminish the party’s hopes. By the next election year in 1896, the populists were faced with a real problem when the Democrats nominated William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska to run. Bryan was a democrat, however was very supported by the Populist Party. The Populists knew, that they could not run against Bryan, and thus would have to support Bryan. Even so, the Southern wing of the Party was extremely opposed to Bryan and his ideals. At a final attempt for unison though, the Southern wing folded... Free Essays on Populist Party There were a few reasons why the Populists emerged in the late 19th century. This third political party originated in America in the later part of the 19th century. This party was derived from farmer’s discontent and also an economic distress. The discontent was caused by the country’s shift from an agricultural and agrarian America to an America in which industrialists dominated the nation’s development. The public felt as if they had been cheated by the robber barons. These robber barons, a term given to those who took advantage of the middle and lower classes, legally took advantage of classes inferior to them. Vanderbilt, a well-known railroad baron once said, â€Å"Law! What do I care about the law? Hain’t I got the power?† The change from agrarian to industrial had a profound effect on everyone’s life. Ignatius Donnelly, a leader in the Populist Party wrote, â€Å"We meet in the midst of a nation brought to the verge of moral, political, and material ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot-box, the Legislatures, the Congress, and touches even the ermine of the bench . . . A vast conspiracy against mankind has been organized â€Å" As a result of this significant change, several reform movements were commenced. Prohibition began along with socialism and the Greenback Labor Party. Each of these was created in hope of making a difference for themselves or for the country. The farmers in particular were distraught for four reasons: physical problems, social and intellectual concerns, economic difficulties, and political frustrations. The physical problems was the climate. Following 1885 there was an immense drought on the merican prarie making the land less farmable, and causing the land to earn the epithet the Dust Bowl. Furthermore, there were extreme blizzards resulting in innumerable deaths of cattle and livestock. Also, farms were very isolated causing the women and children to lead a life of solitude and boredom. The far...