Mary Elizabeth Lease

Definition

Mary Elizabeth Lease was a prominent Populist leader and orator during the Farmers' Revolt in the late 19th century. She was a fierce advocate for the rights and economic interests of farmers and the working class, championing their cause through impassioned speeches and political activism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mary Elizabeth Lease was a prominent Populist speaker and activist who advocated for the economic interests of farmers and the working class.
2. She gained national attention for her fiery speeches, in which she famously urged farmers to 'raise less corn and more hell' to fight against the exploitation of the wealthy elite.
3. Lease was a vocal supporter of the Populist Party's platform, which called for the free coinage of silver, the regulation of railroads and trusts, and the implementation of other reforms to address the economic challenges faced by farmers and laborers.
4. As a lecturer and organizer, Lease traveled extensively throughout the Midwest, rallying support for the Populist cause and inspiring farmers to take collective action against the perceived injustices of the economic system.
5. Lease's advocacy and leadership played a significant role in the Populist movement's efforts to challenge the political and economic dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties during the Farmers' Revolt in the late 19th century.

Review Questions

• Describe the key role that Mary Elizabeth Lease played in the Populist movement and the Farmers' Revolt.
  • Mary Elizabeth Lease was a prominent Populist leader and orator who played a crucial role in the Farmers' Revolt of the late 19th century. As a fierce advocate for the rights and economic interests of farmers and the working class, Lease traveled extensively throughout the Midwest, delivering impassioned speeches that rallied support for the Populist Party's platform. Her fiery rhetoric, which famously urged farmers to 'raise less corn and more hell,' helped to galvanize the Populist movement and challenge the political and economic dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties. Lease's advocacy and leadership were instrumental in the Populists' efforts to address the economic hardships and agrarian discontent that were at the heart of the Farmers' Revolt.
• Analyze the key aspects of the Populist Party's platform that Mary Elizabeth Lease championed and how they sought to address the economic challenges faced by farmers and laborers.
  • The Populist Party's platform, which Mary Elizabeth Lease ardently supported, sought to address the economic challenges faced by farmers and laborers through a range of reforms. Lease was a vocal proponent of the party's call for the free coinage of silver, which was intended to increase the money supply and alleviate the financial burdens of farmers struggling with debt and low crop prices. Additionally, the Populists advocated for the regulation of railroads and trusts, aiming to curb the power of big business and ensure fairer economic conditions for the working class. Lease's leadership and oratory skills played a crucial role in mobilizing support for these Populist initiatives, which were at the heart of the Farmers' Revolt and the broader effort to challenge the political and economic status quo of the late 19th century.
• Evaluate the long-term impact and significance of Mary Elizabeth Lease's contributions to the Populist movement and the broader social and political landscape of the late 19th century.
  • Mary Elizabeth Lease's contributions to the Populist movement and the Farmers' Revolt had a lasting impact on the social and political landscape of the late 19th century. As a charismatic and influential orator, Lease played a crucial role in galvanizing support for the Populist Party's platform, which sought to address the economic challenges faced by farmers and laborers. Her impassioned speeches and tireless advocacy helped to elevate the concerns of the working class and challenge the dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties. While the Populist Party ultimately failed to achieve lasting political success, Lease's legacy continued to shape the broader social and political discourse, paving the way for future progressive movements and reforms. Her unwavering commitment to economic justice and her ability to mobilize grassroots support cemented her place as a pioneering figure in the history of American populism and social activism.

Related terms

Populist Party: A political party that emerged in the late 19th century, advocating for the interests of farmers, laborers, and other working-class Americans against the power of big business and the wealthy elite.

Agrarian Discontent: The widespread dissatisfaction and economic hardship experienced by farmers in the late 19th century, leading to the rise of the Populist movement.

Greenbackism: An economic and political philosophy that supported the increased circulation of paper money (greenbacks) as a means to alleviate the financial burdens of farmers and the working class.