Populist Party :: American History Politics Essays

Populist PartyThe Populist Party, a third policy-making party that originated in America in the latter part of the nineteenth century, derived as a result of farmer discontent and stinting distress. This was caused by the countrys shift from an agricultural American life to one in which industrialists rule the nations development. The public felt as if they were being cheated by these robber barons, a term given to those who took advantage of the middle and lower classes by boldly stealing the fruits of their toils (Morgan, 30). These corporate tycoons conduct was legal, however ethically dubious it was. Cornelius Vanderbilt, a well-known railroad baron, reportedly once said, Law What do I care about the law? Haint I got the power? (Morgan, 30) The change from farming(prenominal) to industrial had a profound effect on everyones life. Ignatius Donnelly, a draw in the Populist Party wrote, We meet in the midst of a nation brought to the verge of moral, political, and material ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot-box, the Legislatures, the Congress, and touches even the ermine of the judicial system . . . A vast conspiracy against man shape has been organized (Tindall, 957). As a result of this significant transformation, along with several incompatible perspectives of peoples mores, several reform movements were commenced, such as prohibition, socialism, and the Greenback Labor Party. Each of these movements was launched by different coalitions in hopes of making a difference either for themselves or for the inviolable of the country. The farmers, specifically, were unhappy for four particular reasons physical problems, social and intellectual concerns, economic difficulties, and political frustrations. The physical concerns the climate of the time period. Following 1885, there was a large drought on the American prairie, thus causing this disembark to become known as the Dust Bowl. Furthermore, there were extreme blizzards resulting in innumerable deat hs of cattle and livestock. Also, farms were very isolated causing the women and children to lead a life of solitude and boredom. They demanded change. In fact, the women were the ones to start libraries and other meeting places for themselves and their children. This closing off made schooling for children quite difficult. Most kids who lived on the farm did non receive a proper education, or one of any kind for that matter. Farmers economic problems are more intricate. Events baffled the farmer. They believed that deflation was the cause of their problem.