George W. Shell, Benjamin R. Tillman, and John L.M. Irby pose for an 1890 photograph with the caption, "Leaders of the Farmer's Movement in South Carolina." The rise and rule of Tillmanism in South Carolina is, like the end of Reconstruction, a complicated story that cannot be treated fairly in the captions to a few photographs. Tillman (see image 142 in "Portraits of Noted Carolinians") was a rough but spellbinding orator, who rose to statewide political power between 1885 and 1890 by appealing to the very real needs, but also to the prejudices, of Upcountry farmers. Using the "stump meeting" tradition, in which candidates for the Democratic nominations went to local communities to win votes and support through fiery speeches, Tillman, Shell (who was president of the Farmers' Association), and Irby seized control of the Farmers' Association. They used its influence to seize control of Democratic Party meetings, and defeated the conservative political leadership that had ruled South Carolina since the end of Reconstruction.
Courtesy of the Edgefield County Historical Society.
Standards
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into founding principles as viewed through this period of federal government involvement, the development and realignment of a new labor system not based on a system of slavery, and the significant political realignment of the South.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into the significant causes of World War I and the factors leading to U.S. involvement. This indicator was also developed to promote inquiry into the effects of the war, to include its impact on the homefront, migration patterns, and continued foreign policy debates.
