Free Essays on Populism

Populism is a movement begun in the mid-1890s by farmers and other rural residents at the time. It quickly gained strength and has undergone many changes since then. It has not only changed in its views, but also in the political parties who utilize it not as an ideology but rather as a mode of persuasion. Populism is defined in the book as a language whose speakers see the people as one and not as a people bound by class restrictions, who see the elite politicians who oppose them as self-serving, and who wish to bring these "average people" together to fight against the overbearing powers of the political elite. Populist speakers voiced their discontent with elites who ignored, corrupted, or betrayed the ideal of American democracy, which consisted of rule by the common people. After the farmers created what we know as populism in the mid-1890s, there was a parting of the ways. In the early twentieth century, farmers' enthusiasm waned but two other groups' did not. These groups cons isted of the wage earners and the evangelic churchgoers. They argued that unions were now the best representation of the "average man". At the same time, middle-class Protestants were mounting campaigns as well. This was the first transition of the populist movement. . The second transition came in the late 1940s when populism began a migration from Left to Right. Conservative groups and politicians altered the speeches once given by reformers and radicals. Many reasons are given as to why this transition took place. Some of these included: the onset of the Cold War, the fact that most white Americans came to see themselves as middle-class consumers and taxpayers, and the growth of evangelical churches whose political stance was as conservative as their theology. Gradually and unevenly, a conservative populism emerged that promised to defend devout, middle-class communities against the governing elite. Populism is, in my opinion, a necessary component of d... Free Essays on Populism Free Essays on Populism During the late 19th century, the Populist Party began to materialize. In earlier years, economic depression in the western and southern portions of America had devastated many farm families. After bad seasons caused by drought many of these farmers began to fall heavily into debt. Frustrated as well as upset, their anger was further fed by discontent with railroads, manufacturers, lenders, and many others. In the early 1890s, alliances of farmers pulled together to form the People’s party. The first prominent populist in government was William Peffer. In 1890, this Kansan became the first populist senator. Continually growing, the People’s Party was soon established as a national party through a merger of the Farmers’ Alliance and the Knights Of Labor. Meeting in Omaha, the Populists took on a policy demanding free silver, graduated income tax, and government ownership of the telephone, telegraph, and railroads. Soon after, this third party nominated James Weaver for presidency in the election of 1892. Winning over a million popular votes and 22 electoral votes, this candidate became one of the few gain so many votes for a third party. Although they did not pull a victory, the Populist Party managed to gain much publicity. In the eastern, more urban portions of America, populism was not as â€Å"poplar†. The party’s main support came from six midwestern and western states. The south also refused to join this new party. A main reason was because more than a million members were black. Because of support from only a few states, the Populist Party began to lose it original spark. By 1896 the party was beginning to fall apart. Two main factions, â€Å"mid-roaders† and fusionists developed. Fusionists pushed for fusing with democrats in favor of free silver policies. Mid-roaders did not take firm enough stands to merge into other parties. Instead they kept politics that were in between those of the two larger parties. In an att... Free Essays on Populism Populism is a movement begun in the mid-1890s by farmers and other rural residents at the time. It quickly gained strength and has undergone many changes since then. It has not only changed in its views, but also in the political parties who utilize it not as an ideology but rather as a mode of persuasion. Populism is defined in the book as a language whose speakers see the people as one and not as a people bound by class restrictions, who see the elite politicians who oppose them as self-serving, and who wish to bring these "average people" together to fight against the overbearing powers of the political elite. Populist speakers voiced their discontent with elites who ignored, corrupted, or betrayed the ideal of American democracy, which consisted of rule by the common people. After the farmers created what we know as populism in the mid-1890s, there was a parting of the ways. In the early twentieth century, farmers' enthusiasm waned but two other groups' did not. These groups cons isted of the wage earners and the evangelic churchgoers. They argued that unions were now the best representation of the "average man". At the same time, middle-class Protestants were mounting campaigns as well. This was the first transition of the populist movement. . The second transition came in the late 1940s when populism began a migration from Left to Right. Conservative groups and politicians altered the speeches once given by reformers and radicals. Many reasons are given as to why this transition took place. Some of these included: the onset of the Cold War, the fact that most white Americans came to see themselves as middle-class consumers and taxpayers, and the growth of evangelical churches whose political stance was as conservative as their theology. Gradually and unevenly, a conservative populism emerged that promised to defend devout, middle-class communities against the governing elite. Populism is, in my opinion, a necessary component of d...