The Influence of the Populist Platform on America

After the civil war, especially during the late 1800s, the US industrial economy has been thriving and booming which reflected on the numerous improvements that occurred in transportation through new railroad, in new markets for new invented goods and in the increased farm yield. However, most of this wealth has been captured by the capitalists, they looked down on the working poor class and expected them to submit to them. Also, they had control over the government seeking to maintain a system of monopoly to allow them to grow richer from others. Thus, they were controlling both political and economic conditions of the country. Nevertheless, this social injustice was the reason that leads to the farmers’ Revolt, seeking to remedy their†¦show more content†¦These events and conditions were the reason behind the foundation of the populist’s party and their platform. They declared â€Å" that this republic can only endure as a free government while built upon the love of the whole people for each other and for the nation.†(Populist party platform, 1892) They believed that they would be able to correct the wrong and bring back the power of the government to the people, and put end to the poverty through the platform they issued. Through the platform, they provided solutions to both economical and political problems. To begin with, they called for creating unions to defend the producing class and the labor to protect them and giving them back their stolen rights. Also, they declared that â€Å" wealth belongs to him creates it† and any other sources of income are counted as r obbery. In addition, the populist’s party regarded the railroads as a public corporation not to be owned privately to prevent any monopoly or increase in the costs to protect these poor farmers from exploitation. They called for the a safe, flexible, national currency to be issued by the government as well as free coinage of silver and gold in a ratio of 16:1. Regarding the taxes they demanded it would not exceed the 2 percentile per year and it should be graduated according to the income, so the richShow MoreRelatedShort and Long Term Influence of the Populist Party on American Politics738 Words   |  3 PagesShort and long term influence of Populist Party In the very early 1890s, a union of farmers, workers, and middle class protestors established an autonomous political party called peoples party, likewise referred to as the Populist Party. This political party was the outcome of a broad social movement that materialized in reaction to wrenching modifications in the American economy as well as society. In the years after the Civil warfare, the telegraph and telephone suggested that info that had actuallyRead MoreSignificance Of The Presidential Election Of 18921577 Words   |  7 Pagesmainly on the influence of one particular candidate from the Populist Party, James B. Weaver, as he won several electoral votes but will also include John Bidwell of the Prohibition Party who also drew in votes, although he did not gain an electoral vote. The candidate from the Socialist Labor Party will be excluded from the investigation as he did not play a significant role in the election. A focus of the investigation will be of the political views of those associated with the Populist party and SocialistRead MoreNationalism And The National Mold Of The Majority Faction957 Words   |  4 PagesEurope) and economic struggles, mainly for the middle class. These factors created an environment ripe for nationalist sentiment and a desire to return to â€Å"how it used to be.† Much to the Western world’s surprise, nationalism proved its significant influence in two recent elections, Donald Trump’s Republican nomination (almost) for president, and the Brexit vote in Great Britain. Stark similarities exist in both nationalistic elections, from methods of garnering support, to passionate state-based rhetoricRead MoreGlobalization Is The Single Most Important Development Of Geopolitical Affairs Post Wwii?1336 Words   |  6 PagesGlobalization is perhaps the single most important development in geopolitical affairs post-WWII, affecting the state in a forceful and wide ranging manner. These effects can be seen wit h the rise of populism in America and Europe, the proliferation of free trade agreements, and the progression of technologies such as the internet. With these long term trends, it is evident that the power of the state over its populace has weakened profoundly. There are numerous current or recent events that serveRead MoreProgressives versus Populists 522 Words   |  2 PagesThe onset 20th Century holds two main movements: The Populists and The Progressives. These two parties are similar, but their policies and philosophies hold diversities. The Populists party comprises of farmers and poor whites in the south; they focus on eastern interests i.e. railroads and banks. The Populists also call for government action, to intervene and to create an efficient society which includes a flourishing middle class. The Progressives include educated middle class men and men ofRead MorePopulist and Progressive Reform in American History1763 Words   |  8 PagesPopulist and Progressive Refo rm in American History Throughout American history, reform was common among people of a particular, race, gender, or class used to accomplish change. The emergence of the populist and progressive movements were a response to the changing climate in American society due to rapid industrialization, an ethnically diverse personality of a young nation, and birth of American imperialism. Disgruntled American farmers that wished to advance their economic position initiatedRead MoreThe Measure Of Freedom And Equality1405 Words   |  6 Pagescorruption. America was growing country faced with the hard ships and challenges such as depressions and political turmoil, but its democratic standpoint allowed new opportunities for people in and out of America. The Civil War was a turning point in the nations development of democracy, which was a revolution of its own. Although hundreds of thousands American lives were lost, the Civil War provided America an opportunity to reform itself and potentially compensate for all the dark areas in America s historyRead MoreWhat It Means To Be An American Essay1233 Words   |  5 Pagesresides in this land. No, it asks what the identity of an American is? Through popular, art, film, and literature, the American image is defined as being based on embracing our individual identities. Movies are a perfect way to express the image of America. Movies are the mixture of art, music, and literature, containing words like a book, sounds like music, and images like art. This trinity of expression helps illustrate the picture of the individual. The western genre of film is a perfect exampleRead More Power Struggles in Capitalist Democracies and the Fate of American Labor Unions3481 Words   |  14 Pagesand their collective an intensely political organization. Thus, there was a development of class unity and consciousness. After the voting right is gained in Europe, these organizations evolved into competent and tightly organized labor parties. In America, however, this was never the case. With a tradition of compromising and bargaining with the elites (for reasons both stated earlier and will be explained below), the American labor class has always been divided amongst trade and ethnicity lines, eachRead MorePresident Donald J. Trump Essay1711 Words   |  7 Pagesmedi a, has no working military or political experience. Thus it is my belief that the policies of the US will be driven by the experience of the executive cabinet and the general directives of President-elect Trump. The president-elect ran on a populist platform touting opposition on illegal immigration, Current international trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) (Emery Jr., 2016) and a reversal, opposition of current policy, of