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 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 In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders examine historical documents that enable them to find out what the Populist Party stood for and how Governor Lewelling dealt with...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
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
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.
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: Literary Themes in the Campaign
Take a look at popular literary themes that are reflected in the political cartoons of 1896, the year in which William Jennings Bryant challenged William McKinley for the presidency.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: The Progressive Era: 1896 1920
A comprehensive and detailed look at the changing political, social and economic landscape during the Progressive Era, 1896-1920. Readers will find well-organized links to readings, documents and external sources.
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Taming the American West
Comprehensive teaching unit that explores the settling of the American West in the late 1800s and the challenges these settlers faced. Contains video and text materials, web interactives, student oriented activities, and a timeline of...
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...
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...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Yearning to Breathe Free Webisode 10
This wonderful website, Freedom, a History of US, based on the series by Joy Hakim, presents the tenth webisode, Yearning to be Breathe Free. Through text, photographs, and audio segments you can get a good picture of the state of...
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Thomas E. Watson
Biography of Tom Watson, a Georgia reformer and congressman, who advocated the ideas of the Farmers' Alliance and eventually became a Populist Party leader. Includes picture.
Harp Week
Harp Week: The Presidential Elections: 1896 Mc Kinley v. Bryan
A three-page look at the campaign and election of 1896 in which William McKinley, the Republican candidate, ran against Wiliam Jennings Bryan, the Democratic candidate. Read about the nominating conventions, the platforms, and the...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Grover Cleveland: Campaigns and Elections
Scroll through this accounting of the presidential campaigns and elections in which Grover Cleveland participated to find the election of 1892. After losing the presidency in 1888, Cleveland won the election. Read about the issues in the...
Other
Emazine: The "Gilded Age" in the United States
This article from a wider history of the world focuses on presidential administrations from Benjamin Harrison in 1890 through the Wilson administration. Read about the domestic policies and foreign affairs from 1890-1920.
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: Roots of Progressivism
A lengthy discussion of Populism and the Populist Party, especially in Nebraska. Read about the Populist Party platform, issues, candidates, and how populism formed the roots of the progressivism in the early 20th century.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Politics in Gilded Age 1870 1900: Farmers' Revolt in the Populist Era
Learn about the development of the farmers' protest movement in the 19th century, and how it evolved into a political movement.