Amovement to increase political power of farmers was called

The Populists were an agrarian-based political movement aimed at improving conditions for the country's farmers and agrarian workers. The Populist movement was preceded by the Farmer's Alliance and the Grange. The People's Party was a political party founded in 1891 by leaders of the Populist movement.

The part, "Canceled plans disappoint like a milk spill," is a simile.

Explanation:

Similes compare two objects/things using "like" or "as."