The Populist Party, also known as the People's Party, was a former political party of the United States in the late 1800s with roots in the Grange and Farmer's Alliance and the Knights of Labor. Agrarian farmers saw urban life, capitalism, and technology as destructive to the independence and dignity of the weak and improvised. Disgruntled workers who wanted reforms banded together with indebted farmers who wanted reforms to fight against the capitalist order of distrustful elitists and big business in partnership with national banks. Together, they advocated for a populist democracy that included more political participation through reforms such as the use of popular referendums where citizens would be allowed to propose and revise laws. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the removal of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. Additionally, they advocated government ownership of public services, monetary expansion, and the abolition of the national bank. Their push for equality in the election is seen as the populists wanting to lead the election of U.S. senators. They felt that senators were chosen by the elites and did not represent the common man in that regard. As a result, the 17th Amendment was finally adopted. Another reform they wanted was that Americans should have a progressive income tax, meaning that the income tax should be proportional to the amount of wealth and wealth the individual has. As part of the fairness they sought in government, they believed the rich should be taxed more in order to fund programs that would provide the weak and poor with opportunities they would not otherwise have. With America... middle of paper they had a liberal mindset viewing capitalist society with suspicion as they held great power within the nation. Throughout the populists' many reform movements, liberal aspects have been emphasized. skeptical of power and individualistic, they suit them perfectly. Their goal was to bring about change meeting standards that would bring about a sense of justice and equality for all in the nation during the period of rapid industrialization. Fairness and equality would prevent the onslaught of corruption on the common man. Through their liberal movements as a political party, the Populists brought about certain changes such as the 16th and 17th Amendments as well as the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce that the majority of Americans have come to accept today. As their name suggests, populists have renewed the feeling that in democracy, the majority rules..