"We meet in the midst of a nation brought to the verge of moral, political, and material ruin. Corruption dominates the ballot-box, the legislatures, the Congress... The newspapers are largely subsidized or muzzled... The fruits of the toil of millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes for a few." — People's Party (Populist) Omaha Platform, 1892
The platform's central claim was that:
- Acheck_circle
Concentrated wealth and political corruption together threatened American democracy
- B
Tariff reform alone could restore prosperity to the working classes
- C
Civil service reform was the chief national priority
- D
Voluntary cooperation among farmers would solve agricultural problems
Explanation
The Populists framed an alliance of plutocrats, party bosses, and a captured press as the source of national crisis, demanding structural reforms.