Who were the Populists during the Gilded Age?
The populists of the late 1800s were mainly farmers. They were a political and social movement that wanted to gain more power and better conditions for the “little guy” at the expense of the elites.
In the late 1800s, big business was booming in the United States. Many of the members of the working class felt that they were being exploited by the elites who ran the big businesses. One of the major groups that felt exploited was the farmers. Farmers felt that they were exploited by the railroads and the banks in particular. This view was particularly strong in the South and in the West.
These farmers made up the bulk of the populist movement. They wanted the government to do various things to protect them from abuse by the rich. For example, they wanted the government to at least regulate (if not own) such vital things as railroads...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
and telegraphs systems. They wanted the government to impose an income tax on the wealthy. They wanted to be able to elect senators directly so that the rich would be less able to “buy” senatorial elections.
In short, the populists were a group dominated by farmers who wanted the government to regulate the economy to prevent big business elites from exploiting the farmers.
How did Populists respond to the Gilded Age's politics and social conditions?
The Populists of the late 1800s responded to the challenges of the Gilded Age by trying to get the government to do things that would help the common people, especially farmers. In particular, they tried to get "easy money" and government regulation of various industries.
The Populists wanted the government to be more flexible about money. They wanted it to allow silver money (as well as gold) and they wanted the government to make more silver money rather than less. This would have helped farmers who were in debt pay their loans more easily.
The Populists also wanted the government to regulate railroad freight rates. They wanted this so that the railroads could not charge them such high prices for hauling their crops. Some populists actually advocated government ownership of the railroads.
Overall, then, the Populists were trying to get the government to enact policies that would help farmers who were in debt and who were under pressure because of the power of the big companies like the railroads.