The terms "Populist" and "Progressive" are used a lot in today's political parlance to describe some politicians, but what do these terms truly mean historically? Dr. Borucki will address the decades from the 1870s through the 1920s when those terms originated to describe very significant movements in American politics. The Populists captured a large following as a third-party movement in the 1880s and 1890s across the Midwest and South, and the growth of "Jim Crow" segregation in the South was largely a reaction to their challenge to one-party control of that section. With Populism came the emergence of several colorful characters in Southern politics. Some other interesting figures rose to prominence in the Progressive Era, a time around the turn of the century in which there was an optimistic attitude for reform in both the North and South. That optimism would be largely shattered by the international disaster that was World War I.

"Excellent and informative lecture! The instructor’s passion for the subject matter was evident. I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation!" - OLLI Patron

LECTURES:

1. Populism's Origins:  What were the post-Civil War economic conditions that paved the way for the rise of Populism in the South and Midwest, particularly in the 1870s and 1880s?

2. From Farmers' Alliances to Political Party:  Populism morphed into a full-fledged third-party movement in 1888, but it fizzled after the presidential election of 1896.  Why was the movement so short-lived?

3. Continuities between Populism and Progressivism in the South:  as the 19th century passed and the 20th century began, several southern firebrands stood for reform and gained popular appeal among poor whites. Progressivism had a pronounced southern rural strand.

4. Progressivism in the North:  Meanwhile, in quickly growing northern industrial and commercial centers, several political leaders emerged to call for reform at the local and state level, and as presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson represented the apex of Progressivism at the federal level.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.