Revolt of the Tar Heels: the North Carolina Populist Movement, 1890-1901 by James Beeby - Chapter 4
References
Footnote - James M. Beeby, Revolt of the Tar Heels: The North Carolina Populist Movement, 1890-1901,
(Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2008), Chap. 4.
Bibliography - Beeby, James M. Revolt of the Tar Heels: The North Carolina Populist Movement,
1890-1901. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2008. Chap 4.
Notes and Quotes
- ‘Populists were not merely disgruntled Democrats who desired office, but principled opponents of
Democrats, and they viewed party organization as the key to success.’ - 85
- Although they had a goal of unity and organisation, this did not necessarily materialise
- ‘the Populist Party’s promise to reform the state and county government, to return the counties to home
rule, and, more importantly, to reform the North Carolina election law resonated with many voters’ - 85
- Idea of opposition to power outside of immediate community is shown here, supporting the
arguments of the other historians, illustrating the individual nature of populism
- ‘the economic policies of the party, such as free silver, the subtreasury, government ownership of the
railroads and banks, and a more sympathetic government, drew significant support from the small
farmers suffering at a time of economic depression’ - 85
- Demonstrates the underlying idea of populism as an ideology focused on personal interests and
individual advancement
- ‘For some farmers, the Populists promised economic improvements and financial reform. For others, the
Farmers’ Alliance provided education and a raising of political consciousness to farmers who yearned
for economic and social improvement in their lives. Other voters saw in Populism a chance to break the
machine and ring-rule of the Democrats’ - 86
- This further illustrates the individual nature of populism, as different people from different
communities had varying reasons as to why they voted for the Populists
- ‘The party slogan of “special privileges to none” resonated with many poor farmers and workers in
North Carolina at the height of the depression of the 1890s’ - 87
- The idea of the slogan reflects the general sentiment of farmers in isolated rural communities: that
control over their funding and their community should not come from those with no understanding of
it. It also emphasises the idea that economic injustice was hardest hitting on the most isolated
communities, and the power over these communities was held by people with no understanding of
this economic situation
- Beeby also discusses that not all populists were farmers, with some having other reasons for joining the
populist movement
- For those who voted populist but were not farmers ‘the People’s Party doctrine of equal rights to all
and special privileges to none resonated to such an extent that they risked social ostracism,
intimidation, and violence to vote the Populist ticket.’ - 88
- This demonstrates a spreading of the idea, but also a splintering of the movement as a consequence
of its focus on the personal impacts of social issues
- ‘Populist attitudes toward African Americans in North Carolina varied from place to place and over
time.’ - 89
- This again demonstrates the presence of racial segregation within the populist movement
- African Americans moved towards voting populist because ‘African Americans realized that they were a
powerful voting block in the 1894 election, and they used their votes strategically’ - 89
- Their desire to remove democrats from office meant that populists were a strategic vote, however this
further demonstrates splintering of the movement, with many different groups voting populist for
References
Footnote - James M. Beeby, Revolt of the Tar Heels: The North Carolina Populist Movement, 1890-1901,
(Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2008), Chap. 4.
Bibliography - Beeby, James M. Revolt of the Tar Heels: The North Carolina Populist Movement,
1890-1901. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2008. Chap 4.
Notes and Quotes
- ‘Populists were not merely disgruntled Democrats who desired office, but principled opponents of
Democrats, and they viewed party organization as the key to success.’ - 85
- Although they had a goal of unity and organisation, this did not necessarily materialise
- ‘the Populist Party’s promise to reform the state and county government, to return the counties to home
rule, and, more importantly, to reform the North Carolina election law resonated with many voters’ - 85
- Idea of opposition to power outside of immediate community is shown here, supporting the
arguments of the other historians, illustrating the individual nature of populism
- ‘the economic policies of the party, such as free silver, the subtreasury, government ownership of the
railroads and banks, and a more sympathetic government, drew significant support from the small
farmers suffering at a time of economic depression’ - 85
- Demonstrates the underlying idea of populism as an ideology focused on personal interests and
individual advancement
- ‘For some farmers, the Populists promised economic improvements and financial reform. For others, the
Farmers’ Alliance provided education and a raising of political consciousness to farmers who yearned
for economic and social improvement in their lives. Other voters saw in Populism a chance to break the
machine and ring-rule of the Democrats’ - 86
- This further illustrates the individual nature of populism, as different people from different
communities had varying reasons as to why they voted for the Populists
- ‘The party slogan of “special privileges to none” resonated with many poor farmers and workers in
North Carolina at the height of the depression of the 1890s’ - 87
- The idea of the slogan reflects the general sentiment of farmers in isolated rural communities: that
control over their funding and their community should not come from those with no understanding of
it. It also emphasises the idea that economic injustice was hardest hitting on the most isolated
communities, and the power over these communities was held by people with no understanding of
this economic situation
- Beeby also discusses that not all populists were farmers, with some having other reasons for joining the
populist movement
- For those who voted populist but were not farmers ‘the People’s Party doctrine of equal rights to all
and special privileges to none resonated to such an extent that they risked social ostracism,
intimidation, and violence to vote the Populist ticket.’ - 88
- This demonstrates a spreading of the idea, but also a splintering of the movement as a consequence
of its focus on the personal impacts of social issues
- ‘Populist attitudes toward African Americans in North Carolina varied from place to place and over
time.’ - 89
- This again demonstrates the presence of racial segregation within the populist movement
- African Americans moved towards voting populist because ‘African Americans realized that they were a
powerful voting block in the 1894 election, and they used their votes strategically’ - 89
- Their desire to remove democrats from office meant that populists were a strategic vote, however this
further demonstrates splintering of the movement, with many different groups voting populist for
