Populism.

Without financial backing, how did Bryan campaign?

He made 600 speeches in 29 states and demonised the 'capitalists at wall street'. pitting them against 'toiling workers'. He was a demagogue, using emotive language to appeal to popular opinions rather than arguing rationally. In the cross of gold speech he said 'You shall not press down upon the brow of labour this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind on a cross of gold'.

Why did the populist party support Bryan in the 1896 election rather than putting forward a candidate?

He used a number of their ideas in his campaign, including a ratio of gold to silver in the coin of 16:1, lower tariffs, and increased powers of interstate commerce commission to prevent railways discriminating against farmers and charging them more than businesses to transport goods. He also attacked use of injunctions in labour disputes. Also, they didn't want to split the pro-silver vote.

How was McKinley's campaign in the 1896 election underhanded?

He was supported by wealthy businessman Mark Hanna, who spent $3 million supporting him and smearing Bryan's reputation. The republicans built up huge funds from horrified industrialists equalling $16 million.

what happened in the 1892 election for the populist party?

James Weaver, the populist party, got more than a million votes and won four states in the west - Colorado, Kansas, Nevada and Idaho. However, they failed to make the gains they'd hoped for.

when was the populist party established?

July 1892

what were the results of the 1896 election?

McKinley won with 7111000 votes to 6509000, and 271 electoral college votes to 176. A victory for the republicans, but it was close.

what Act did pressure from the silver industry cause? what happened to it?

Pressure from the silver industry caused the Sherman Silver Purchase Act 1890, which stated the government would buy 450,0000 ounces of silver a month at market price. In 1896 Cleveland reversed this measure.

Who did the democrats put forward for the 1896 election?

William Jennings Bryan. He was a supporter of silver, farming interests and improved conditions for the urban working class.

who supported populism, and in what time was it dominant in American politics?

Farmers, working people and supporters of silver from the mid west and south of the USA supported populism. It was dominant in American politics in the 1890s.

what were the main achievements of the populism movement?

- 1892 James Weaver, populist candidate, won over a million votes and 4 states. - Democrats chose William Jennings Bryan as their candidate for the 1896 election. Embodied many policies of populism. - Bryan used emotive language to gain support, e.g. cross of gold speech, allowing him to become democratic candidate. - tactically avoided splitting the silver vote by not putting forward a candidate for the 1896 election. Instead, they put forward a candidate for the vice-presidency, Tom Watson. - 45 of their members served in congress 1891-1902

what were the main failures of the populism movement?

- Failed to make the gains they expected in the 1892 election - Lost the 1896 election - frightened businessmen into opposition, e.g. Mark Hanna supporting McKinley and employers scaring east coast workers - Media was against them. The New York Times described Bryan as 'irresponsible, irregulated, ignorant, prejudiced, pathetically honest and enthusiastic crank'. This was due to his 'demagogue' status. - populism never really spread to cities.

what did the 1896 election show?

- The fact the democrats chose a democrat with populist values showed that the movement was influential - The result of the election showed that the economic conditions weren't right for an extremist candidate to take power.

why did the populist party fail to make the gains they expected in the 1892 election?

- They scared businessmen into action (Hanna), convincing their employees that silver would cause inflation and decrease the value of their pay packet, so they lost support with East coast industrial workers - The old granger states in the midwest were experiencing economic improvements, e.g. Wisconsin and Iowa had improved harvests, so farmers were less likely to see the system as against them and vote populist - The south was dependant on the democrats to dismantle the systems set up in reconstruction, and race was top priority even for poor southerners so populists gained less votes in the south.

Why did populism emerge?

As a result of opposition to big business centred in the North. The victory of the North in civil war and domination of republicans who had industrial East Coast priorities made farmers and westerners feel marginalised.

why were farmers discontented between 1860 and 1890?

Because of falling crop prices. in 1860 wheat was $1.60 per bushel, in 1890 it was 60 cents. Cotton fell from 30 cents to 6 cents in the same period.

What did bimetallists want, and why?

Bimetallists wanted silver to be used in currency. World production of gold decreased 1865-90, while silver production increased thanks to its discovery in Nevada and other rocky mountain states. Silver increased from $150,000 in 1860 to $57 million in 1890. Bimetallists felt that using silver in the currency would encourage international trade, as it'd decrease the value of the dollar.

what was the gold standard?

Coinage was minted from gold, and all paper currency was convertible to gold.