Question

What led to the rise of the Populist movement, and what effect did it have?

Answer 1

Hint: Farmers in the South and Midwest revolted against the Democratic and Republican Parties for ignoring their concerns and problems, resulting in the Populist movement. Charismatic or influential figures who present themselves as the "voice of the people" frequently lead populist parties and social movements. Populism, according to the common agency term used by some historians of American history, refers to the population's participation in political decision-making.

Complete answer:
In late-nineteenth-century America, the populist movement was a politically focused group of agrarian reformers in the Midwest and South who called for a wide variety of economic and political legislation.
Causes of the Populist movement -
- Prices are falling.
- The cost of doing business increased.
- More farmers were indebted.
- Farmers were paid outrageous fees by railroads.
- Banks pay ridiculous interest rates on loans.
- Farmers believed that the rest of the world was ignoring them.

Effects –
- The Grange teaches modern farming techniques and advocates for railroad and grain elevator rates to be controlled.
- Farmers' alliances created cooperatives in order to sell their crops jointly and earn more money.
In 1892, the Populist Party was established.
- Free silver coinage.
- Railroads are owned by the government.
- Suffrage for women.
- Income tax with a graduated rate.
- Voting by secret vote.
- Senators are elected directly.
- Prohibition
- Political candidates from the Populist Party run for office (1896 – William Jennings Bryan ran for President).
- Many of the aims of the Populist party were adopted by the Progressive movement in the twentieth century.

Note: James B. Weaver, the Populist presidential nominee in 1892, received 22 electoral votes and over one million popular votes. The party was able to elect multiple members of Congress, three senators, and hundreds of minor officials and lawmakers in the northern Midwest by fusing with Democrats in some states. Most farmers in the South, on the other hand, refused to jeopardize white supremacy by voting against the Democratic Party.