U.S. history concepts · AP U.S. History
Populism (People's Party)
Populism (People's Party): A late nineteenth-century political movement of farmers and workers that challenged the power of railroads, banks and corporations.
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What it means
Facing falling crop prices, debt and high railroad rates, farmers organized alliances and then the People's Party in the 1890s. Its Omaha Platform of 1892 called for free coinage of silver, a graduated income tax, direct election of senators and government ownership of railroads.
The party faded after 1896, but several of its ideas were later adopted, including the income tax and the direct election of senators.
Example
The Omaha Platform demanded the direct election of U.S. senators, a reform achieved with the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913.
On the exam
Populism is a common example of political responses to industrialization in Period 6 and of reform continuity into the Progressive Era.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- Gilded AgeThe late nineteenth century in the United States, marked by rapid industrial growth, great fortunes, political corruption and deep inequality.
- Progressive EraA period of reform from roughly the 1890s to 1920 that sought to address the problems of industrialization, urbanization and political corruption.