US History 202-071 (Chapter 20)

Dissent, Depression, and War : 

Dissent, Depression, and War An Introduction

The People’s Party : 

The People’s Party Met at Exposition Music Hall in St. Louis in 1892. Primarily farmers (The Farmers’ Alliance) Some labor (Knights of Labor ) Women (Woman’s Christian Temperance Union) Dissatisfied with the Democrats & Republicans and challenged status quo.

Why were farmers angry? : 

Why were farmers angry? Small farmers faced falling prices for crops in commodity markets. Gold standard favored creditors over debtors. Consumer prices were high. Couldn’t afford higher shipping rates or machines. Speculation drove up the price of land. Farmers in the South victims of the crop lien system.

The Farmers : 

The Farmers Formed the Northwestern Farmers’ Alliance & the Southern Farmers’ Alliance. Tried to form cooperatives to get better prices. Merchants, bankers, manufacturers, and wholesalers made it impossible for farmers to get credit. Conclusion: need to change money and credit system.

The Farmers : 

The Farmers Farmers’ Alliance forged the People’s Party. People’s Party called for sub-treasury. Store crops in government storehouses until market prices rose. Issue greenbacks based on the amount of stored crops.

The Farmers : 

The Farmers Government ownership of railroads & telegraph system to end higher rates. Government should reclaim lands from railroad companies and foreign investors to end land speculation. Free silver to help farmers in debt. Called for government involvement to help farmers.

The Farmers : 

The Farmers Another goal of the People’s Party: empower the average voter. Direct election of senators, secret ballots, initiative & referendum and recall of elected officials. Supported labor related issues such as the 8 hour work day.

Labor Wars : 

Labor Wars Cripple Creek Miners’ Strike Some mine owners moved to lengthen workday. Western Federation of Miners went on strike. Populist Governor Davis Waite helped strikers by NOT calling in the troops. Mine owners submitted to 8 hour work day (until 1904) Conclusion: political power could help labor.

Labor Wars : 

Labor Wars 3 Million unemployed due to economic depression by 1894. Company town of Pullman near Chicago. Workers paid high rent in Pullman’s town. Depression convinced Pullman to cut wages 28%, but rent stayed the same. Daily wages replaced by piecework.

Labor Wars : 

Labor Wars Workers flocked to American Railway Union (ARU) led by Eugene V. Debs. 3 union leaders were fired which sparked strike. Pullman shut down the plant. Railway system paralyzed. General Managers Association (GMA) used the press to demonize the protestors.

Labor Wars : 

Labor Wars Attorney General Richard Olney against strike. (Former railroad lawyer) Olney convinced President Cleveland to call in troops. (To protect the mail) Court issued injunction against Debs. The boycott was made illegal. Government defended company.

Women’s Activism : 

Women’s Activism Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) Alcoholism is a disease linked to poverty. Frances Willard used cult of domesticity to gain support for voting rights. National American Woman Suffrage Organization helped gain voting rights in states. WCTU joined with labor to work for better working conditions for women.

Effects of the Depression : 

Effects of the Depression High Unemployment. People looked for jobs and begged for food. Burdened private charity and city governments. Many unemployed tried marching to D.C. Led in part by Jacob Coxey. Men should be put to work on public works projects. (Government involvement)

Effects of Depression : 

Effects of Depression Public afraid of demonstration. Police violently confronted Coxey. Public relieved when Jacob Coxey was arrested. People’s Party obtained a surge of support from poor as election of 1896 neared. 1896 platform added public works projects to the agenda. People’s Party still on the fringe.

Election of 1896 : 

Election of 1896 Issue: currency reform. William McKinley (R) supported gold standard. William Jennings Bryan (D) supported free silver. Western populists (farmers and miners) supported free silver. Poor Midwestern Populists joined Bryan. The People Party’s nominated Bryan.

Election 1896 : 

Election 1896 McKinley backed by business and media. Bryan gave speeches across nation while McKinley stayed home. Bryan lost the election. (271 to 176) McKinley promised to restore prosperity through Gold Standard and protective tariff. People’s Party died, but some ideas of reform lived on with the Progressives.

Monroe Doctrine & Open Door Policy : 

Monroe Doctrine & Open Door Policy Monroe Doctrine: dominate Western hemisphere. 90% of American product sold at home. Depression of 1890s heightened view that US needed to expand overseas trade. Open Door Policy: US wanted access to China. Philippines would strengthen influence in East Asian markets. Spark: the sinking of the USS Maine.