City University of New York
African Americans and the Populist Movement
Why did the Populist Party fail to ally itself with African American farmers? To answer this essential question, class members investigate the Populist Era (188-1900) and read an article written by Tom Watson, a Populist leader.
Curated OER
Development of American Political Parties: The Two-Party System
Was American politics always bound to the two-party system? Learn how the two-party system developed, why third parties tend not to do so well, and all the various political parties that have emerged throughout US history. Each party is...
Curated OER
Populism & the Election of 1896
Populism and the rise and fall of the Populist Party are the topics of this presentation, which details the Presidential Election of 1896 and the role of silver. Detailing main points with clever political cartoons and informative maps,...
Curated OER
Populism and the People’s Party
Learners examine the history of the Populist Party as it relates to its reforms and economic plight. In this Populism and the People's Party lesson, students explore why farmers experienced financial difficulty at the end of the century....
Curated OER
Populism and Governor Lewelling
Seventh graders investigate the impact of the Populist Party. In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders examine historical documents that enable them to find out what the Populist Party stood for and how Governor Lewelling dealt with...
Curated OER
Chapter 13 – Progressivism
In this U.S. history worksheet, students read assigned textbook pages regarding Progressivsim and respond to 48 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Progressivism: What's the Problem?
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Progressive Era lesson, students examine the goals and accomplishments of the Populist Party.
Curated OER
Populism
In this online interactive American history worksheet, students answer 10 multiple choice questions regarding the Populist party reform movement. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
Populism (1)
In this online interactive American history worksheet, students answer 10 multiple choice questions regarding the Populist Movement. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
A Parable on Populism
Fourth graders study the sombolism between Populism of the 1890's and the story of The Wizard of Oz.
Curated OER
Farmers, the Populist Party, and Mississippi (1870-1900)
Pupils determine the cause and effect of a historical event. They draw conclusions about statistical data and maps and compose a campaign speech for a Populist candidate. They design a political poster and badge for the Populist Party.
Curated OER
Populism and Segregation
In this U.S. history learning exercise, students read articles about Populism and segregation. Students then respond to 15 short answer questions.
Curated OER
History Matters:"pitchfork Ben" Tillman Addresses the 1896 Democratic Convention
Ben Tillman, senator from South Carolina, gave a speech at the Democratic Convention in 1896, advocating for the free coinage of silver, the same issue addressed in a later speech by William Jennings Bryan. Read Tillman's speech here,...
Curated OER
History Matters: Senator David Bennett Hill Defends the Gold Standard
Read this speech given by Senator David Bennet Hill of New York at the Democratic Convention in 1896. A key issue in that convention was whether the United States should go back on the gold standard. This speech clearly shows that Hill...
Vassar College
1896: Election Results
The outcome of the popular vote for president in 1896 was close. Read about the electoral votes, see maps showing the popular vote for McKinley and Bryan, and follow the chart that shows the votes for all those running for president....
Other
Earliest Voices: William Jennings Bryan
This resource features historic voice recordings of William Jennings Bryan. There are recordings of many famous orations by him on various political topics, the most famous being his "Cross of Gold" speech. A biography and downloadable...
Other
Austin Community Coll.: Populism & Political Realignment
Austin Community College provides a scholarly analysis of the characteristics, demands, and obstacles faced by the Populists. Discusses the impact of Populist politics on the 1894-96 elections and on the Republican and Democrat parties.
Northern Illinois University
Illinois in the Gilded Age: 1896: The Cross of Gold
This is a very informative look at the politics involved in the campaign of 1896 where one of the main issues was the conflict between the gold standard and free silver. Read about the results of the election and the defeat of Populist...
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University: American Populism, 1876 1896
Using essays, primary source documents, images, and video this site explores the American Populist political movement in the early 1890s.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: A Biography of America: The Elections of 1896 1900
Read about all the factions involved in the campaign and election of 1896 and see how the Democratic Party was split, which resulted in the election of Republican William McKinley. The last part of this essay talks about the campaign of...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Politics in Gilded Age 1870 1900: Social and Labor Unrest in the 1890s
Learn about the factors that helped the Populist Party gain followers and what caused it to lose them after the 1896 presidential election.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: William Jennings Bryan
Here is a short biography on William Jennings Bryan, American politician of the Populist Party. Additional information can be found through the articles at the bottom of the page regarding Bryan's causes, his principles, and the Free...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: The Expansion of Democracy During the Jacksonian Era
Lesson on how the character of American politics changed between the 1820s and 1850s as a result of growing popular participation. Complete set of resources including primary source material, teacher notes, vocabulary, and strategies for...
Harp Week
Harp Week: Elections: 1892 Overview Cleveland v. Harrison v. Weaver
This four-page review of the campaign and election of 1892 includes a review of Benjamin Harrison's term in office from 1888-1892, the controversy in determining a presidential candidate, and the presence of a possibly viable third-party...