Populism and progressivism

• Populism and Progressivism

  Ideas and influence of Bryan

  Populism and Bryan

  1896 - Populists gained control of Democratic Party and installed W.J. Bryan as their candidate in 1896 presidential election.
• Populism and Progressivism


  Ideas and influence of Bryan 2

  The creation of the Populist Party

  In 1890 the National Farmers' Alliance created the People's Party, better known as the Populist Party. Was a radical movement which reached out to groups such as black sharecroppers and women. Populist demands included agricultural reforms, graduated income tax, gov ownership of railroads and introduction of bimetallic currency in which silver coins would be readily available as gold
• Populism and Progressivism

  Ideas and influence of Bryan 3

  The silver issue

  Silver production had grown rapidly in last third of nineteenth century as result of sig discoveries of lodes in the West. Its value had grown from $156,000 in 1860 to $57 mil by 1890. Traditionally, USA adopted gold standard by which value of currency based on that of gold. This kept value high. But bimetallists wanted silver to be used in manu of coins as well as gold - bringing value down.
• Populism and progressivism

  Ideas and influences of Bryan 4

  The silver issue 2

  The 1890 Sherman Silver Purchase Act forced gov to purchase 4.5 mil ounces of silver per month for this purpose - But Cleveland repealed Act in 1896.

  Populists felt high value of gold led to high interest rates and shortage of credit. Silver issue became their most sig policy. They felt maintaining gold standard as sole basis of value of currency was a classic example of powerful business interests acting in their own interest to the exclusion of other groups.
• Populism and progressivism

  Ideas and influences of Bryan 5

  Fusion with the Democrats

  Populist Party did badly in the 1892 presidential election, w/ candidate winning only 22 electoral votes. Nonetheless, party remained a force, winning 42% of the vote. But many of its programmes supported by the Democrats and adopted by its candidate, Bryan, in 1896 presidential election. Populists agreed to support Bryan.
• Populism and progressivism


  Ideas and influences of Bryan

  W.J. Bryan

  Lawyer from Nebraska w/ impassioned style. Particularly concerned w/ silver issue although embraced all Populist platform.
• Populism and progressivism

  The 1896 presidential election

  Was a contest between traditional interests of power exemplified by Democrats and radical ideas of Bryan. First time where modern campaigning methods and financing were deployed. Campaign of William McKinley, Republican candidate, was managed by Mark Hanna, an unscrupulous political manager who used modern methods:

  • high-pressure fundraising which raised $3.5 mil
  • sending out 250 mil pieces of campaign literature
  • targeting marginal areas w/ teams of 1500 speakers.
• Populism and progressivism


  The 1896 presidential election 2

  Bryan travelled over 28,000 kilometres on campaign trail and gave 600 speeches - but Republicans spent ten times more and used the media to attack their opponents as unsound, particularly on economics.

  McKinley won both 1896 and 1900 presidential election.
• Populism and progressivism

  McKinley's domestic policies

  His administration appeared to follow traditional policies of laissez-faire. No sig social reform and in 1897 the Dingley tariff became the most protectionist to date. Dominated by foreign affairs, but had little trouble being re-elected in 1900.

  However, Bryan's policies survived into the progressive movement.