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This political cartoon from the satirical magazine Judge depicts a farmer (representing Uncle Sam) standing in his wheat field talking to a Democrat and two Populists, "Sockless" Jerry Simpson and William Peffer, both from Kansas. These three men are attempting to convince the farmer of the importance of free trade and free silver, but he remains satisfied with the current situation. Meanwhile, across the sea in Europe, there are starving peasants begging for relief. The cartoon is meant as a criticism of the Populists' and Democrats' desire to "save" farmers. Judge magazine, created by artists who had worked at Puck magazine and who allied with the Republican Party, began in 1881.
Creator: Judge Magazine
Date: 1891
This source could be used in the classroom to generate discussion about whether or not the Populists understood the needs of farmers. By depicting this farmer as self-sufficient and financially stable, the unidentified cartoonist illustrates the perceived ridiculousness of the Populist agenda.
KS:7th:4.2:Populism (2005)
Item Number: 210799
Call Number: Oversize B P348 v. 2, Peffer Cartoon Scrapbook
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 210799
Agriculture - Farm organizations - Farmer's Alliance
Agriculture - Labor - Farmers
Business and Industry - Occupations/Professions - Farmers
Business and Industry - Occupations/Professions - Politicians
Collections - Library
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1880s to 1920s (Benchmark 4) - Populism (Indicator 2) - "Free silver"
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1880s to 1920s (Benchmark 4) - Populism (Indicator 2) - High debts and low prices for farmers
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1880s to 1920s (Benchmark 4) - Populism (Indicator 2) - Republican perspective on Populism
Date - 1890s - 1891
Government and Politics - Federal Government - Congress - Senate - Peffer, William Alfred
Government and Politics - Federal Government - Congress - Senate - Simpson, Jeremiah
Government and Politics - Political Parties - Democrat
Government and Politics - Political Parties - Populist
Government and Politics - Reform and Protest - Farm movements - Farmer's Alliance
Government and Politics - Reform and Protest - Populism
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Cartoon
People - Notable Kansans - Peffer, William Alfred, 1831-1912
People - Notable Kansans - Simpson, Jeremiah, 1842-1905
Thematic Time Period - Age of Reform, 1880 - 1917 - Populism, 1890 - 1900
Type of Material - Cartoons - Political
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/210799