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Populism

Definition

Populism refers to a political movement that emerged in the late 19th century, primarily driven by farmers and laborers who were discontent with the economic and political power held by industrialists and elites. Populist leaders advocated for policies that aimed to uplift the common people, including government regulation of big businesses, income redistribution, and direct democracy.

Analogy

Imagine you're at a school where some students have all the control over activities and decisions. Suddenly, a group of students from different grades team up to challenge their authority and fight for equal say in everything. This united effort to empower the majority is similar to the rise of Populism.

Related terms

Granger Movement: A precursor to Populism, it was an organization formed by farmers in response to unfair business practices by railroads. They sought government regulation on transportation rates and storage fees.

Farmers' Alliance: An organization formed by farmers in the South and Midwest that provided education, social support, and advocated for economic reforms such as cooperatives to combat high costs imposed by banks, merchants, and railroads.

Bimetallism: The idea supported by many populists that called for using both gold and silver as currency instead of relying solely on gold. It aimed to increase money supply which would help debtors repay loans more easily.