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.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Alabama Tenant Farmers and Sharecroppers, 1865 to Present
The tenant farming and sharecropping systems that developed in the South after the Civil War, the reasons for their development, and the eventual decline of these systems are the focus of this two-day plan.
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
Students 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 In this Kansas history lesson, 7th graders examine historical documents that enable them to find out what the Populist Party stood for and how Governor Lewelling dealt with...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
The World's Fair of 1893: A Tribute to Agriculture and Advertising
Students identify connections between agriculture, advertising, and mail order catalogues during 1890s as expressed at World's Fair of 1893. Students interpret photographic exhibit and discuss how reactions of rural fair visitors...
Curated OER
"you Shall Not Crucify Mankind Upon a Cross of Gold!": The Issue of Bimetallism in the Late Nineteenth-Century
Learners investigate the monetary system during the late 19th-century. They view a video, answer discussion questions, read and discuss text, and write an essay justifying either the pro-silver or pro-gold standard side.
Curated OER
Farmers, the Populist Party, and Mississippi (1870-1900)
Students 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
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
Progression of Political Movements
Students examine the various political parties throughout history. In groups, they are given documents identifying the platforms of the parties in the 1868 election. To end the lesson, they share their information with the class and...
Curated OER
"You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!" The Issue Bimetallism in the Late Nineteenth-Century
Students research the basis of the monetary system suring the 19th century. They complete a worksheet and justify the pro-silver or the pro-gold argument.
Curated OER
1876-1920 Word Search Puzzle
In this literacy worksheet, students look for the words in the puzzle that are related to the theme of the word search. Spelling skills are worked on.
Curated OER
Reconstruction Word Search Puzzle
In this social studies worksheet, students look for the words in the puzzle that are related to the theme of the word search. Spelling skills are worked on.
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.
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Farmers' Alliance
The Farmers' Alliance advocated many progressive ideas. Read about these ideas and the ways the alliance fostered co-op programs for farmers. This article focuses on the Farmers' Alliance groups in Georgia, but there is also much...
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.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: The Gilded Age: The Populists
Explains the history of the Populist movement, its growth into a political party, and its later dissolution. Includes questions for students at end.
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...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow: Populist Party
Read about how "the Populists challenged white supremacy by forming coalitions between black and white farmers who shared a common cause." Part of a larger website called "Jim Crow Stories", this brief article paints the Populist Party...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Growth of Populism
Western farmers organized in an attempt to have their issues heard politically. Read about the various farmers' organizations which developed into the idea of populism and the formation of the Populist Party.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Agrarian Distress and Rise of Populism
This resource is provided for by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. It discusses how the late 1800s was a time of economic and agrarian distress for many farmers in the US. Facing tremendous as a result of their...
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: Agrarian Movements and Populism
While the explosion of industry had its positive marks on the economy, it also took its toll on some aspects of the nation. This slideshow will illustrate the problems and societal changes many farmers, immigrants, labor unions, and the...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: u.s. History: The Populist Revolt
Looks at the unrest of farmers in the 1890s that led to the development of a new populist party called the People's Party. Explains the debate that raged around whether to adopt a gold or a silver standard, examines the election of 1896,...
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.