many americans thought the railroads charged farmers so much money that it made them poor. workers led several strikes against the railroad that were put down by the army. also, farmers started groups to fight the railroad, such as the grange. these groups became the populist movement, which almost won the presidency under william jennings bryan. the populists wanted reforms such as an income tax and direct election of senators. the populist party died out after 1896. many of the things the populists wanted would happen during the progressive era.