The Populist Party was created in reaction to industrialization and big business abuses. It emerged from the Farmers Alliance in the 1800s, and was a third independent party, separate from Democrats and Republicans. They were primarily Southern farmers that struggled to compete with massive businesses. Populists believed that the working class was being denied basic rights and liberties, and supported the formation of workers unions. They opposed immigration because incoming immigrants took jobs that would have been available for Americans. They also believed in an increase in the power of the government and the free coinage of silver and gold in the ratio of 16 to 1. They supported an income tax, and increase in the circulation of wealth, and the formation of a permanent union of workers to oppose unfair business practices. All in all, they were fighting for more power to the working man.
Working unions across America found aligned political views with the Populist Party, such as the Utility Workers Union of America.
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