Populism

• Why was the populist party formed?

  To represent the interests of farmers and workers against the political and economic power of the elites.
• What was the populist party aims?

  To represent the interests of farmers and laborers, and advocate for economic reforms and political reforms to address their concerns.
• What did the populist party do?

  • Removal of the McKinley tariff so farmers could sell their goods abroad - Simmons tariff 1913
  • 8 hour working day - Adamson act 1916
  • government control of railways - Roosevelt introduced the Hepburn act 1906
• Failures of populism

  • populist party infiltrated the Democratic Party and weakened it
  • led to Democratic Party becoming more left wing - selected Bryan as presidential candidate in 1896
  • Jennings Bryan lacked broad appeal
  • populism linked to pacifism and anti imperialism
• success of populism

  • some electoral success 1892 presidential election
  • Between 1891 and 1902 11 governors and 45 congressman
  • populist demands often viewed as radical and extreme in the 1890s
  • taft broke standard oil up in 1911
  • removal of the McKinley tariff
  • Adamson act 1916
  • Government control railways
• Long term impact = populism succeeded and got what they want

  short term impact = presidential elections failed etc.