Populist Revolt: A History of the Farmers' Alliance and the People's Party

by John Donald Hicks

Populist Revolt was first published in 1931. Minnesota Archive Editions uses digital technology to make long-unavailable books once again accessible, and are published unaltered from the original University of Minnesota Press editions. When The Populist Revolt was originally published, the New York Times critic called it "far and away the best account of populism that we have—and one not likely to be replaced." That prophecy proved right; the book has not been replaced, and historians and critics agree that it is the definitive work on its subject. Now it is made available once more, after being out of print for some time. This is a history of the Farmers' Alliance and the People's Party, under whose banners a great crusade for farm relief was waged in the 1880's and 1890's. As important as the chronicle of the political movement itself is the detailed picture which Professor Hicks gives of the conditions which set the stage for this agrarian revolt. He describes the inequities and malpractices which beset both the new settlers of the West and the poverty-ridden whites and Negroes of the South following the Civil War. The story of Populism itself is a lively one, people with such picturesque leaders as "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman of South Carolina, "Sockless" Jerry Simpson and Mary Elizabeth Lease—the "Patrick Henry in petticoats"—of Kansas, "Bloody Bridles" Waite of Colorado, Thomas E. Watson of Georgia, Dr. C. W. Macune of Texas, James B. Weaver of Iowa, and Ignatius Donnelly of Minnesota. In these pages, Professor Hicks has, as Frederic L. Paxson pointed out, "presented the case for Populism better than the Populists themselves could do it." Henry Steele Commanger calls the book a "thorough, scholarly, sympathetic and spirited history of the entire Populist movement."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Labor

473 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

John D. Hicks was a member of the history department at Berkeley for thirty years. He was the Morrison Professor of American history from 1942 until 1957, when he became Morrison Professor Emeritus.

Reviews

[Queme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books. A correspondent in Russia dialogued with me about this book, and I finally sent him my copy. Fortunately, I found a replacement. I also bought Hicks' general history of the U.S.

"The Populist Revolt" is rich in information, detailed to the point of intimidation. But it is the very details, along with the straight-forward writing style, and of course the author's perspective, that made this book such a favorite with me.

Hicks covers the rise and glory of Populism, which means also the beginnings of labor parties and farmers' parties even before the Civil War (War of Southern Independence). The central time period for the peak of populist sentiments, unfortunately (or fortunately?) divided among several political parties, ranges from the 1880s to the 1990s.

After reading this book in 1980, I realized that Professor Hicks had persuaded me, whether that was his intention or not, that I was a Populist at heart. (I have since then further evolved my political views.)

For a person taking even a simply survey course of U.S. history, such as American colleges generally require (or, sadly, once required but today do not), this book will give such a more colorful, exciting picture of that era. I truly believe this book should be required reading in American history courses.

[John E · Rating 4 out of 5]

With all the talk of the "Populist" appeal of Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, one should read a little bit about the original.

This is the standard history of the movement. It shows the strength of racism over common economic interest with the inability of the mid-Western and Southern White farmers to get together when the southerners were totally paranoid that the black farmers might get something out of it. The current "populism" continues the exclusion of black Americans.

The other major difference between then and now is the anti-government attacks of the modern "populists."

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The classic history of the American Populist movement, the only thing wrong with Hicks' comprehensive treatment of the People's Party and its actors is that its breadth is almost too broad. Hicks is unable to devote space to any African-American Populists, the women of the Populist movement, or much to anything other than a quick treatment of the economic ills facing American society that led to the Populist movement, a political history of its existence, and a quick history of its downfall. Hicks' historiography, although relying upon Frederick Turner, can and must be the foundation (along with more recent scholarship) of a progressive history of the People's Party as a working-class movement in United States history.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still a great book on Populism. Certainly very outdated in parts, but still holding many important insights.