U.S. History

Greenbacks

Name for Union paper money not backed by gold or silver. Value would fluctuate depending on status of the war (plural)

Grange

an outlying farm

Munn v. Illinois

1876; The Supreme Court upheld the Granger laws. The Munn case allowed states to regulate certain businesses within their borders, including railroads, and is commonly regarded as a milestone in the growth of federal government regulation.

Mary Ellen Lease

A speaker for the Populist Party and the Farmer's Alliance. One of the founders of the Populist Party.

Cross of Gold Speech

An impassioned address by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Deomcratic Convention, in which he attacked the "gold bugs" who insisted that U.S. currency be backed only with gold.

Interstate Commerce Act

Established the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) - monitors the business operation of carriers transporting goods and people between states - created to regulate railroad prices

Colored Farmer Alliance

Excluded on the basis of race from membership in the Southern Farmers' Alliance, the blacks formed a separate organization in Texas in 1886. The Colored Farmers' Alliance comprised both black farmers and farm workers. They were active in the publication of a weekly newspaper and a variety of educational programs. In 1891, a strike of cotton pickers was called, but coordination was poor and the strike failed. Also lost support when the populist party arose.

National Farmer Alliances

Groups dedicated to educating farmers on topics ranging from the latest farming method to land ownership.

Election of 1896

Republican William McKinley defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan in 1896. Bryan was the nominee of the Democrats, the Populist Party, and the Silver Republicans.Economic issues, including bimetallism, the gold standard, Free Silver, and the tariff, were crucial.

Wabash v. Illinois

Supreme court ruling that states could not regulate interstate commerce

William Jennings Bryan

United States lawyer and politician who advocated free silver and prosecuted John Scopes (1925) for teaching evolution in a Tennessee high school (1860-1925)

Bimetalism

Use of two metals, gold and silver, for currency as America did with the Bland-Allison Act and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act. Ended in 1900 with the enactment of the Gold Standard Act.

Inflation

a general and progressive increase in prices

Gold Standard

a paragon of excellence

Populists

a party made up of farmers and laborers that wanted direct election of senators and an 8hr working dayMunn v.

Rebates

discounts

Graduated income tax

tax on earnings that charges different rates for different income levels

Omaha Platform

the 1892 platform of the Populist party repudiating laissez-faire and demanding economic and political reform

Deflation

the act of letting the air out of something