Today we are continuing with the presentations on sections.Ch. 5-3 Farmers and the Populist MovementFamers endured hard times, for example the crops were failing. Railraods gave land to businesses instead of settlers. Railroads were taking advantage of farmers by charging high prices. Having one railroad in your town was bad for farmers because they had no other choice but to use that one railroad. It was good to have more than one to create competition and lower the prices. The grange was a group of farmers that fought the railroads (farmer's movement). The railroads charged the farmers more than the wealthier people. The populism was the movement of the people (People's Party).-What problems did farmers face on the Great Plains?The railroads took advantage of the farmers (overcharging) and banks foreclosing the farms.-Who were the Populists and what did they believe in?Were the common people, mostly farmers (People's Party). They wanted to give more power to the people, increase in money supply/circulation, make money so it wasn't worth as much (inflation so they could charge more for their crops). They wanted a graduated income tax, which means the more you make, the more you pay. They also wanted direct election of U.S. Senators, which means the people voted for them. Before, the Legislature chose the senators which were white, wealthy men. They wanted single terms for presidents and vice presidents, and a secret ballot. They called for a 8-hour work day, and a restriction on immigrants (took jobs and kept wages low).
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