Question

Which statement best describes the impact of the Populist Movement on the role of the federal government in American society?

Answer 1

The Populist Movement had a significant impact on the role of the federal government, as it led to the adoption of Populist ideas by the major political parties during the Progressive Era.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Populist Movement had a significant impact on the role of the federal government in American society. It led to the adoption of Populist ideas by the Republicans and Democrats during the Progressive Era. Some of these ideas included a graduated income tax, direct election of U.S. Senators, and loan programs for farmers and the working class.

Additionally, the Populists' influence was seen in the 1896 election when the Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan, who aligned with Populist goals, competed against the Republican candidate William McKinley.

Although Bryan lost, the Populist Party's support behind Bryan showed the potential for a third party to challenge the status quo. However, after the economy started recovering and the interest in a third party faded, the Populists' momentum declined.Overall, the Populist Movement changed American political culture and pushed for reforms that would later be embraced by the major political parties.

Answer 2

Populism emerged as a prominent movement in the 1870s among especially the peasants of the western and southern states, which was characterized by demands for social radical legislation against the trusts and for the benefit of the smaller farmers.

At first, this movement became noticeable within both the old political parties, Republicans and Democrats, but from 1890 the demand for the organization of an independent third party started within farmers' associations.

One of these came into being in Kansas and gained an entire Union organization in 1892. The then-Populist Party, whose core was small farmers and industrial workers, demanded free coinage of silver, 8 hours workday, progressive income tax, land reform, nationalization of railways, telegraphs and telephone, referendums and more.

The party gathered over a million votes in the presidential election and got 22 presidential electors elected. It co-operated in the 1896 and 1900 presidential elections with the Democrats with William Jennings Bryan as joint candidate. However, the Populist Party declined rapidly during the following years, with most followers instead returning to the old parties.