b) The Populist Movement

The Populist Movement, during the Gilded Age, was the name given to the political movement that sought to reduce the power of large corporations and monopolies. This grassroots movement emerged primarily among farmers and laborers affected by the economic challenges and disparities of the time. The Populists advocated for a range of reforms including the regulation of railroad rates, the introduction of an income tax, and the direct election of Senators. Their efforts highlighted the tensions between the rural working class and the industrial elite, playing a significant role in shaping the political discourse around economic equality and corporate power in the late 19th century.