Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Populist Party
The Populist Party was one of the more successful third parties, at least in state politics. Read about its platform on the national and state levels in the 1890s.
Other
Fieldston School United States History Survey: Populist Party Platform
Text of the Populist Party platform in the election of 1892. You will be surprised to see how many resolutions were eventually adopted by Democrats and Republicans.
Hanover College
Hanover College: Populist Party Platform, 1892
This page provides excerpts from the Populist party platform of 1892, including the preamble and the platform.
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: Populist Party Platform
This 1896, Website of Political Cartoons page presents the People's (Populist) Party platform of 1896. The platform discusses the finances, railroads and telegraphs, the public lands, the referendum, the territories, public salaries,...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Politics in Gilded Age 1870 1900: Farmers' Revolt in the Populist Era
Learn about the development of the farmers' protest movement in the 19th century, and how it evolved into a political movement.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Major Concerns of the Populists
Outline of the major issues at the heart of the Populist movement, as well as a history of the movement.
Other
Kevin Baker: The Populists
Essay on the history of the Populist party including reasons for its formation, notable people within the party, its political agenda, and its struggle to achieve country-wide support.
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: The Populist Party
This great resource from 1896, A Website of Political Cartoons from Vassar College discusses "The Rise of Populism" to "The End of Populism--or Not?"
University of North Carolina
Documenting the American South: Thomas E. Watson: Georgia Populist Politician
This biography of Georgian Thomas Edward Watson includes information about his vice-presdential campaign with his running mate, William Jennings Bryan, and his progressive writings.
Other
Austin Community Coll.: Populism & Political Realignment
Austin Community College provides a scholarly analysis of the characteristics, demands, and obstacles faced by the Populists. Discusses the impact of Populist politics on the 1894-96 elections and on the Republican and Democrat parties.
Harp Week
Harp Week: Elections: 1892 Overview Cleveland v. Harrison v. Weaver
This four-page review of the campaign and election of 1892 includes a review of Benjamin Harrison's term in office from 1888-1892, the controversy in determining a presidential candidate, and the presence of a possibly viable third-party...
Nebraska Studies
Nebraska Studies: Roots of Progressivism
A lengthy discussion of Populism and the Populist Party, especially in Nebraska. Read about the Populist Party platform, issues, candidates, and how populism formed the roots of the progressivism in the early 20th century.
Northern Illinois University
Illinois in the Gilded Age: 1896: The Cross of Gold
This is a very informative look at the politics involved in the campaign of 1896 where one of the main issues was the conflict between the gold standard and free silver. Read about the results of the election and the defeat of Populist...
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University: American Populism, 1876 1896
Using essays, primary source documents, images, and video this site explores the American Populist political movement in the early 1890s.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Politics in Gilded Age 1870 1900: Social and Labor Unrest in the 1890s
Learn about the factors that helped the Populist Party gain followers and what caused it to lose them after the 1896 presidential election.
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Populism: 1896 Election
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson allows students to read two Populist speeches in order to explain why the...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: William Jennings Bryan
Here is a short biography on William Jennings Bryan, American politician of the Populist Party. Additional information can be found through the articles at the bottom of the page regarding Bryan's causes, his principles, and the Free...
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Thomas E. Watson
Biography of Tom Watson, a Georgia reformer and congressman, who advocated the ideas of the Farmers' Alliance and eventually became a Populist Party leader. Includes picture.
Backstory Radio
Back Story Radio: Teed Off: The Tea Party, Then and Now
BackStory episode about the Tea Party movement and its relationship to the American populist movement of the past. The transcript is provided, no audio.
Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon History: Troubled Times
Although this site concerns itself with Oregon, the issues are nationwide. Article discusses the background of the Populist movement.
Other
Socialist Worker: The Promise and Failure of Populism
Read how the Populist struggle brought together Blacks with poor whites in a challenge against the Southern elite in the 1890s. [April 2012]
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Growth of Populism
Western farmers organized in an attempt to have their issues heard politically. Read about the various farmers' organizations which developed into the idea of populism and the formation of the Populist Party.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Agrarian Distress and the Rise of Populism
Article outlines the rise of the Populist Movement in the U.S. as a result of a declining economy, agrarian distress and dissatisfaction with American politics in late 19th Century.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Roots of the Movement
Progressivism got a push from the Populist movement, a reaction to the forgettable presidents and laissez-faire government in the Gilded Age. Find a listing of authors who wrote about progressive ideas, and see what influence populism...