Period 6:1865-1898

The transformation of the Unites States

from and agricultural to an increasingly
industrialized and urbanized society
brought about significant economic,
political, diplomatic, social,
environmental and cultural changes.

6.2.I Urbanization in the Gilded

Age
 Themes
After the Civil War, whites overcame the Plains Indians
fierce resistance and settled the Great West, bringing
to a close the long frontier phase of American history.

The farmers who populated the West found themselves

the victims of an economic revolution in agriculture.
Trapped in a permanent debtor dependency, in the
1880s they finally turned to political action to protest
their condition. Their efforts culminated in the Populist
Partys attempt to create an interracial farmer/labor
coalition in the 1890s, but William Jennings Bryans
defeat in the pivotal election of 1896 signaled the
triumph of urbanism and the middle class.
 The Grange
(6.1.IIIB) (6.3.IIA)

Chester A. Arthur
Populists Party A Party of
Patches
(6.1.IIIC) (6.3.IIA)
Populists' major complaint was that politicians and Wall Street held the "people"
down by manipulating the political system. This problem could be solved by a
"rising of the people" that would restore popular control of government.

Chester A. Arthur
Farmers and laborers (especially miners) proved to be the Populist Party's strongest
supporters. In this cartoon, the fruits of their labor are being stolen by financial
interests through foreclosures, interest, rents, etc.
William Jennings Bryan-Democrat
Election of 1896 (6.1.IIIC) (6.3.IIA)
Cross of Gold Speech
Presidential Election of 1896 (with electoral vote by state)