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Ocala Platform

Definition

The Ocala Platform was a set of demands made by leaders of the Southern Farmers' Alliance at a convention held in Ocala, Florida in 1890. These demands included free coinage of silver, federal income tax, direct election of senators, regulation or ownership of railroads by government etc., many of which were later adopted by the Populist Party.

Analogy

Imagine you're part of a sports team that feels neglected by your coach. You gather with your teammates to create a list (the Ocala Platform) detailing what you want changed - more practice time, better equipment etc., This list then becomes your team's manifesto moving forward.

Related terms

Free Silver Movement: A major U.S. political issue in the late 19th century, advocating for the unlimited coinage of silver to increase money supply and inflate prices.

Progressive Era: A period of widespread social activism and political reform across the United States that spanned from the 1890s to the 1920s. Many demands from Ocala Platform were later addressed during this era.

Direct Election: The process by which voters directly cast ballots for the person or political party they want to see elected to a public office. This was one of the key demands in Ocala Platform.