LAD/Blog #24: Populist (People's) Party Platform





The Populist Party was formed on the 117th anniversary of Independence Day. In the Preamble the Populist party begin with a fuming opening, introducing their beliefs. They believed that the nation was on the verge of moral, political and material ruin, caused by corruption within government. The saw the people as demoralized and silenced, everything was going poorly. The business were to powerful and the people were oppressed. The Populist Party was determined to change this, ending the issues of the US.

In the Platform they listed their demands and laid out what they thought was necessary. These were divided in the general categories of finance, transportation and labor. In terms of finance they wanted a currency that was safe and sound, a tax no higher than 2 cents, no banking corporations etc. For transportation, they thought it was a means for exchange and public necessity. The railroads should be operated by the government for the people. Forms of communication should also be managed by the government in the interest of the people. As for land, it was the heritage of the people and shouldn't be monopolized.

In the expression of sentiments, they came to resolve many issues. Issues with labor were resolved, for example the Pinkertons and the pensions of soldiers and sailors. They also recognized  and sympathized with the Knights of Labor, showing their support of the people.

This can be applied to present day with the election of 2016 and President Trump, considered a populist government. The people had had enough of politicians, especially corrupt ones, something Hillary was considered. Trump played upon this, ultimately winning the election.


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