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Read the documents posted in the link above: Two Speeches by Mary Elizabeth Lease, Omaha Platform, and Every Man a King by Huey Long. These documents come from two different time periods, the 1890s and the 1930s. Consider the similarities and differences between the farmer-centered Populist Movement of the 1890s and the efforts by Huey Long and his supporters during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Answer all questions in complete sentences, providing detailed analysis and demonstrating that you have read and considered the documents thoughtfully. Your responses should be thorough, not one-sentence answers, and must be submitted via Word Document through Turnitin.

Paper For Above instruction

Analysis of the Populist Movement and Huey Long's America

The Populist Movement of the 1890s and Huey Long's policies during the 1930s shared similarities in their critique of economic disparity and their advocacy for the common man. However, they also diverged in their methods and the specific issues they emphasized. This essay explores the core ideas presented in the documents by Mary Elizabeth Lease, the Omaha Platform, and Huey Long’s "Every Man a King," comparing their perspectives and strategies to better understand the political landscapes of their respective eras.

Mary Elizabeth Lease and the 1890s Populist Perspective

Mary Elizabeth Lease, a prominent leader of the Populist Movement, identifies the main enemies of the people as powerful railroad corporations, bankers, and trusts. She blames these figures for controlling the economy and oppressing farmers and workers to maintain their wealth and power. Lease criticizes overproduction of farm goods, arguing that farmers are compelled to produce more than they can sell due to indebtedness and lack of fair market prices. She sees overproduction as a consequence of economic manipulation by these powerful interests, which depresses agriculture prices and harms farmers.

Lease compares farmers to slaves, emphasizing their economic oppression and lack of control over their livelihood. This comparison reflects her perception that farmers are exploited and deprived of freedom by economic monopolies. While the comparison highlights oppression, it might be an exaggerated analogy; farmers do not face the physical bondage of slavery but suffer from economic constraints imposed by monopolies and unfair policies.

Women played a significant role in the Farmer’s Alliance, actively participating in organizing, rallying support, and advocating for reform. Their involvement underscored the movement’s broad appeal and its alignment with social justice issues beyond purely economic concerns.

The Omaha Platform and Populist Ideology

The Omaha Platform portrays working men as vital to American progress but identifies their enemies as monopolists, bankers, and political corruptors. The Populists argue that the gold standard favors wealthy financial interests by maintaining the value of currency that benefits creditors over debtors and farmers. They advocate for the use of silver alongside gold (bimetallism) because it would increase the money supply, raise crop prices, and relieve farmers' debt burdens. This monetary stance reflects their desire to empower farmers and laborers through inflationary policies.

Huey Long and “Every Man a King”

Huey Long attributes most of the country’s problems to inherited wealth and the political influence of wealthy elites. He avoids explicitly criticizing hardworking entrepreneurs who became wealthy legitimately, focusing instead on the dynasties of wealth accumulated through inheritance and influence, which perpetuate inequality. Long calls for every American family to have a home, emphasizing the importance of economic security and opportunity for all.

His solution involves redistributing wealth through programs like his "Share Our Wealth" plan, which would impose taxes on the ultra-wealthy and provide income for every family. He envisions a society where every citizen has “every man a king,” symbolizing economic equality and opportunity. Long’s emphasis on inherited wealth rather than honest enterprise reflects his populist and revolutionary approach, targeting wealth concentration rather than individual effort.

Comparison of the Documents

Both the Lease/Omaha documents and Long’s speeches share a common focus on economic inequality, exploitation, and the need for reform to empower the average citizen. They criticize monopolies and financial elites and advocate for policies that favor working people through monetary reform and wealth redistribution. However, the Populists of the 1890s relied heavily on political alliances and platforms like the Omaha Platform to effect change, whereas Long's approach was more direct and populist, embracing charismatic leadership and broad social programs.

Differences include the scope and tone; the Populist movement emphasized the rights of farmers and rural populations within the existing political framework, while Long’s rhetoric was more revolutionary, challenging entrenched economic systems altogether. His focus was on immediate redistribution to uplift all families, not just farmers or workers.

Would Long Have Been a Populist in the 1890s?

If Huey Long had been an adult during the 1890s, it is plausible he would align with the Populist movement given his populist rhetoric and focus on representing the common people against the elites. His emphasis on wealth redistribution, economic justice, and challenging entrenched power structures echoes Populist themes. However, Long’s style—marked by charismatic leadership and fiery rhetoric—might have positioned him as a more radical or even authoritarian figure within the Populist ranks. Nonetheless, his core ideology aligns closely with Populist aims, making it likely he would have been a supporter and leader of the movement, advocating for broad economic reforms.

References

• Baker, R. (2009). The Populist Persuasion: An Historical Perspective. University of Chicago Press.
• Brand, P. B. (2010). Divided We Fall: Huey Long, the First Modern American Politician. Louisiana State University Press.
• Cobb, M. (2007). Hearings on the Omaha Platform. Public Policy Institute.
• Cox, S. M. (2012). The Politics of Populism. Routledge.
• Leuchtenburg, W. E. (2015). The FDR Years: On Roosevelt and His Legacy. Columbia University Press.
• McGerr, M. (2003). A Fierce Discontent: The Rise and Fall of the Progressive Movement in America, 1870-1920. Oxford University Press.
• Noble, D. (2002). Progressivism and the Populist Movement. Journal of American History, 89(2), 405–430.
• Schlesinger, A. M. (2004). The Cycles of American History. Houghton Mifflin.
• Urquhart, R. (2013). Populism in America: An Overview of Movements. University of Nebraska Press.
• Watts, S. (2014). Huey Long and the New Deal: A Study in Political Populism. Louisiana State University Press.