There was a lack of currency and credit for the farmers. The "banking system was rooted in the gold standard and dominated by eastern commercial banks". ... They felt they would of won more votes but the movement elected a Union General and the southern Populists felt they could not vote for a Union general, which kept the voters away. ...
Under the Whigs This system would support protective tariffs, federal aid for internal improvements, and a strong national bank. ... Also, large farm corporations supported the Whigs because Whigs could give them cheap bank credit which they needed for an over abundance of supplies. ... Republicans carried eleven of sixteen free states in 1856 and the party would benefit from northern voters" dismay at actions of Democrats James Buchanan's administration, especially his attempt to force Kansas's admission to the Union as a slave state under the Lecompton constitution. ...
