Populist Party

views updated Jun 08 2018

Populist Party (officially People's Party) US political party active in the 1890s. It originated among farmers' alliances in the South and West at a time of agrarian discontent. It won seats in local and state elections in 1890 and nominated a presidential candidate, James B. Weaver, in 1892, advocating free silver (unlimited minting of silver coins) and nationalization of transport. In 1896 the party supported the Democratic candidate, William Jennings Bryan. After 1908 it gradually disintegrated.