America at the Turn of the Century Discussion Questions

Burns, "The Populist Protest"

What is the greater significance of the Populist movement?

What problems did American farmers faced in late 1800s?

What was the significant social or political impact of their condition?

How did their response compare to workers?

How did the Farmers’ Alliance fire up people and keep them organized and motivated?

How did the Alliance first attempt to solve the problem of low prices?

How did Alliance leaders see their political party as different from Republ and Demo of that day?

How did the party deal with women?

What unique problems did Southern Alliance face?

Why was Populism potentially threatening to the South?

How did industrialists, laborers, and general farmers conceptualize liberty?

How did the Populists see it differently?