The Populist Movement
By Wendy and Heather
Falling farm prices started in 1870. Reasons for the fall in prices were 1) The increase in farm production made it possible
for new machines to be manufactured and 2) Exporting and importing forced American farmers to compete with other countries.
Formation of Farmers' Alliances. To adress these issues, farmers formed farmers' alliances which demanded more money
to be put into circulation in hopes that the crop prices would go back up. This circulation would include either printing more paper
money or by coining unlimited amounts of silver (known as free silver ). Also they insisted that the government either take over
completely, or at least monitor the railroads. These ideas later became known as the main goals of the Populist movement.
The forming of the Populist Party (The People's Party). As a result of the farmers' alliances meeting with delegates from
labor and reform groups in Cinncinati, Ohio, the People's Party was formed a year later in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Populists adopt a platform. On July 4, 1892, the Populists adopted their platform which stated for such things as an
increase in currency and that people with a higher income should have to pay a higher income tax.
People's Party election debut. In November of 1892, the first Populist candidates for President and Vice President were
James B. Weaver (Pres.) and James G. Field (V.P.).
Election of 1896. During the election of 1896, the Populist Party platform was adopted by the Democratic nomination for
President, William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska. The Populists decided to also support Bryan. However, they nominated their own
Thomas Watson for Vice President, assuming that the Democratic party would accept their nomination. The Democrats did not
accept this nomination though, and so Bryan ran with two Vice Presidential candidates and lost to the Republican candidate.
Decline of the Populist Party. After the election of 1896, the People's Party started to decline and by 1904, it had
disappeared.