Farmers, the Grange and William Jennings Bryan

Top Ten People and Events

1. Crime of '73: suspended the coining of silver in 1873.

2. Populist Movement: in the late 1870s farmers organized clubs that stressed cooperation between farmers.

3. Pendleton Act (883): this act was to create competitive examinations for political positions. 10% of all government jobs must be based on one's background, education, ability, and experience, ect.

4. Mugwups: a large group of eastern Republicans that campaigned for the Democrats.

5. Sherman Antitrust Act and Silver Purchase Act (1892): this act was to enact the government to break up any monopolies that cause any sort of harm to the people.

6. "Cross of Gold" (896): this was a speech given by William Jennings Bryan that stated farmers are essential to the United States.

7. Pollock v. Farmer's Loan and Trust Company (1895): Supreme Court declared federal income tax unconstitutional.

8. McKinley's "front-porch campaign: had people come visit his house and would give already made up speeches towards different individuals.

9. Panic of 1893: the nation floundered in the worst depression that it had ever experienced.

10.Jacob S. Coxey: started a movement to get the government to undertake a program of federal public works and authorize local communities to exchange non-interest-bearing bonds with the Treasury for $500 million in paper money. Funds went to hire unemployed workers to build roads.

Notable Quotes

· "Burn down your cities and leave our farms." (W.J. Bryan)

· "Everybody is fighting to be rich and nobody can attend to making the city fit to live in." (British visitor in Chicago)

· "We are opposed to free coinage of silver. The existing gold standard must be maintained." (Republicans at St. Louis· 1896)

Summary

America is going through many changes and is experiencing the wonderful thing known as technology. However, technology is dependent on people that are willing to make money. Many people jumped to the offer and organized monopolies. Monopolies are great for the business people involved in them, such as J.P. Morgan and others, but they hurt the workers and their families. Chapter 21 is full of movements that try to break up monopolies. The people came close to breaking them up, but the government lacked the ability to enforce the laws, like the Sherman Antitrust. Chapter 21 goes through many different presidents and the reason for this is because the leaders were so weak. The Presidents were:

Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, and Cleveland.