REVISED:How Successful were the Populists?

The time between 1870 and 1896 was practically all about postwar politics and the populists. Though big business defeated the labor unions during the Industrial Era, the Populists sought to confront a variety of urban and rural problems. The Populists fused together with the Grange and Farmers' Alliance to contest big business control over the marketplace. The Populists and Democratic party also emerged in the 19th century. Republican administration did lots to support the rise of big business. The Populists were a representation of groups that had the same political platform. Though, unlike the labor unions of the Industrial Era, the Populists were quite successful in their goals such as influencing a reform towards the printing of money and influencing an income tax between 1900-1916(Progressive Era).

The industrial age made farmers more efficient. Just as the steel plow and the cotton gin had increased productivity, so did irrigation and the tractor. Farm production skyrocketed. As with any product the greater the supply, the lower the price. In response to this deflation farmers grew more crops. This time however, as production continued to increase, prices continued to fall. Farmers ended up making less money.

In 1900 America went on the Gold Standard. This meant every dollar was exchangeable for a dollar of gold. The US promised to have gold reserves equal to the amount of money in circulation. The issue was that this limits the amount of money in circulation while raising the value of money. This effect on farmers was further deflation. Their loans on farm acreage remained but their income dropped.

In response to the problems farmers were facing, they formed the Populist Party. They elected William Jennings Bryan as leader and first candidate for president. As a third party the Populists hoped to get their ideas at least viewd mainstream. They soon realized a Populist would never be elected president but they had a good chance that one of the major parties would incorporate the populist message into their platform.

Populists sought to eliminate of the gold standard. Populists supported the Silver Standards which would have made money cheaper and more available. This would have created inflationary pressure and raised prices. They wanted passage of an income tax. They wanted end of life tenure of Federal Judges. And last, the end of the printing of paper currency by nationally chartered private banks.

The Populist Party did not achieve all of their goals. The nation remained on the gold standard until 1933. By 1911 the the new Federal Reserve System took over the printing of money. An income tax was passed. And,most importantly they proved that a third party could influence national politics and generate legislation.

In end the Populist Party failed to survive. They did do well in 1892, yet lacked money, organization and candidates to follow-up in 1894. In that year their total vote was up 50%, but they made few electoral gains. Fusion with the Democratic Party seemed to be an answer, yet most Populists did not agree with this approach. Although in 1896 the Populists supported William Jennings Bryan for president, a Democratic candidate.

In Conclusion, though the Populists did not survive, its goals did. When comparing the goals in the Populist platform and then examining results in the Progressive Era, practically every goal was met. Any goal that was not met it was in the least adressed. In some situations the Populist party did not recieve everything they wanted but no one ever does. Unlike the labor unions of the Industrial Era, the Populists were successful in their goals especially between 1900-1916 and in all, the Populist party changed the landscape of America.