Lions, tigers and politics, oh my? The Wonderful Wizard of OZ written by L. Frank Baum has become an American classic since 1900 with its simple and good-hearted plot, but within the written text enough parallels have been found that connect it to politics that suggest otherwise. Baum says he wrote the story solely for the enjoyment of children and could never have imagined the impact it would have on audiences. When the text was adapted for film nearly 40 years later, it became an instant hit and captured the hearts of film audiences. It remains an American favorite today thanks to its charismatic actors, dazzling colors and unforgettable music. But The Wizard of Oz is not the simple tale it alludes to, under its facade of charm hide themes and motifs full of political symbolism that refer to the populist party. The allegory behind Dorothy and her background connects perfectly to the political issues that were posed in real life around the time the book was written. Dorothy, the protagonist of the story, represents the good-hearted citizen; she is essentially what every American strives to be. Dorothy embodies positive characteristics and is seen as the girl next door. He lives in Kansas, where everything from the landscape to the lifestyle is described as lifeless and lackluster at the beginning of the book. The unfavorable portrayal of Kansas refers to the conditions it faced in the late 1880s, when it was plagued by suffocating droughts, harsh winters, and insect invasions that left it a wasteland. The angry people of Kansas fought the politicians who didn't care about the plight they were in, that's when the Populist Party arose to become the people's party and fight for their rights. Populism spread like wildfire throughout the Midwest and South. Kansas was chosen as