US History Assignment on Populism and the Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is more than a story for children that has been read or filmed viewed for years since published.  Any history assignment based on populism is likely to be substantial if you can build connections between the Wizard of Oz and the populism movement. The Wizard of Oz and populism comparisons support the message of never being a place that can be compared to home. The heroine in the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, presents symbolism and various instances that relate to the farming practices in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries.  There are multiple historical phenomena that readers of the Wizard of Oz classical can understand, such as those highlighted in the reading.

  1. The silver coinage

The history of the United States dates back to a silver movement to promote silver coins because they were abundant for an extended period. In the Wizard of Oz, the silver coinage is represented by the silver shoes of Dorothy that she believed could not wear out and are suitable for long walks.  The Wicked Witch of the East is also for the silver shoes because of the charming connection. In the late 19th century and early 20th century in the US, bank bosses held power over money that could only be lessened by the addition of silver to the gold standard. Towards the Free Silver elections, farmers in the US grew tired of their frustrations and retaliated and elected sympathetic individuals in important official positions.

  1. The gold standard

The late 1890s in the US had currency issues as gold was deemed insufficient and cornered by people like Jay Gold. Baum, the author of the Wizard of Oz, supported bimetallism and used the yellow brick road to symbolize the gold standard. The classical brought out the challenges farmers faced coupled with uncontrollable factors like droughts that addressed the gold standard’s problems.

  1. Mid America/farmers at its best

The main character Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz represents Mid America, a region of open-hearted and honest farmers.  Dorothy had power over the silver shoes but was innocent of discovering them. Mid America had opportunities to implement silver but did not realize the power that comes with it. To America, the banker bosses exploited the nation’s people as Dorothy was done to, due to innocence.

  1. A banker boss

In the late 1800s, banker bosses used interlocking directories and trusts to control businesses in the East. Child workers suffered as these bosses made profits. The Wicked Witch of Oz represents the banker bosses who had the Munchkins, representing the Jews and Italians, captives and servants.

  1. A Midwestern farmer

The scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz symbolizes the Western farmer who fails to believe in their intellectual capabilities but is far much capable than they realize. During the drought worse phases in history, farmers pleaded to the government until the realization that they could save themselves. The production of more hurt them, but it was the way to make extra income. With increased production, prices went down, as illustrated by Baum’s scarecrow character who was without brains but solved some problems.

Conclusion

The Wizard of Oz characters presents symbolism in relation to various actors in the populism regime of the US.  An eastern industry such as the Tin Woodman, Williams Jennings Bryan symbolized by the Cowardly Loin and Emerald City as Washington, among other forms of symbolism. Creating connections between the Wizard of Oz and the populism movement in your history assignment can significantly provide a good paper depicting your deep understanding of American history.

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