describing why you are a populist you should include relevant information about what about your life

Imagine it is 1896. You are a small farmer living in the either the South or the West. Write a letter to your local
newspaper explaining why you are a populist and what major changes the populists (as a party and movement) would
like to see. When describing why you are a populist you should include relevant information about what about your life
has been like for the last ten to twenty years.
If you chose this option you should write as if you are living in the South or West in 1896, so you should use present
tense and you can’t know what happens after 1896, although you make educated guesses about the future.  The
advantage of this format is that it makes it easier to focus your essay since you know the type of person you are and the
type of person you are writing to. In this case that is essentially other small farmers in your region. Support your answer
with specific and appropriate examples taken from the materials you have studied in this class such as the text and
videos.
2. How did the rapid spread of industrialization and big business shape the job opportunities and realities for men and
women entering the workforce in the late 19 th century? Your discussion of opportunities should include some
consideration of the number and types of job available to men and those available to women and the possibilities of
advancement. Your discussion of the realities of work should include some description of working conditions and living
conditions. Support your answer with specific and appropriate examples taken from the materials you have studied in
this class such as the text and videos.
3. Imagine it is 1896. You are a middle-class native in your early 20s from a larger city like St. Louis or Cleveland. You
are also an aspiring journalist. You have been asked to contribute an editorial titled “Why America Needs a Progressive
Movement” to a progressive leaning magazine. Your goal is to accurately make the case.  Be aware that there were
common goals that drove progressives but that when it came to specific issues men and women tended to focus on
different areas.
If you chose this option you should write as if you are living in 1896. You are writing for a middle-class audience of
well-informed citizens. You can’t know what happens after 1896, although you can make educated guesses about the
future.  The advantage of this format it allows you to focus your essay since you know the type of person you are and the
type of person you are writing for. Support your answer with specific and appropriate examples taken from the materials
you have studied in this class such as the text and videos. TSD