Turning Point in American Politics: 1896

Turning Point in American Politics Repeal of Silver Purchase Act and Cleveland’s handling of the 1893 depression discredited the Democratic Party Republicans win the 1894 mid-term elections Populists also continued to gain votes and legislative seats Stage was set for a major reshaping of party politics in 1896 Turning Point in American Politics

The Election of 1896 One of the most emotional in U.S. history Democrats were divided between “gold” Democrats and pro-silver Democrats National Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1896 dominated by pro-silver forces The Election of 1896

William Jennings Bryan (NE) captured the hearts of the delegates with his “Cross of Gold” speech “We will answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them: ‘You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.’” The “Cross of Gold” speech instantly made Bryan the Democratic nominee for president He was only 36 The Election of 1896

Democratic platform favored the unlimited coinage of silver Democrats took over the leading issues of the Populist platform The Populist convention in 1896 also nominated Bryan and conducted a “fused” campaign with the Democrats Unhappy with Bryan and free silver, “Gold Bug” Democrats either formed a separate Democratic party or voted Republican The Election of 1896

McKinley, Hanna, and Republicans Republicans nominated William McKinley Best known for the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 Mark Hanna financed and ran McKinley’s campaign Republicans promised a strong, prosperous, industrial nation Republican platform advocated for high tariffs to protect U.S. businesses and upheld the gold standard McKinley, Hanna, and Republicans

Bryan turned the Democratic-Populist campaign into a nationwide crusade Traveled from one end of the country to the other by train 18,000 miles and over 600 speeches Bryan’s energy, positive attitude, and rhetoric convinced millions of farmers and debtors that unlimited coinage of silver was needed Mark Hanna ran McKinley’s campaign by raising millions from business leaders Hanna used the finances to sell McKinley through mass media while McKinley mostly stayed at home The Campaign

Bryan and the Democratic- Populist campaign was hurt by two major things in the last few weeks of race: Prices for wheat rose, which made farmers less desperate Employers told their workers if Bryan was elected, they would shut their factories down McKinley carried all of the Northeast and upper Midwest Won decisively in the popular and electoral vote The Campaign

McKinley’s presidency Took office just as the economy was beginning to revive Gold discoveries in Alaska increased the money supply under the gold standard, which caused the inflation pro-silver people wanted Farm prices rose, factory production increased, stock market climbed Republicans kept their campaign promises- increased tariffs and made gold the official standard of U.S. currency in 1900 McKinley was well-liked and well-traveled Tried to bring competing interests together Led the nation during the war with Spain in 1898 Helped make the U.S. a world power McKinley’s presidency

Significance of the Election of 1896 Marked the end of stalemate and inactivity that characterized Gilded Age politics Initiated an era of Republican dominance in the White House and Congress Republicans had now become a party of business and industry Still continued to advocate for a strong national government Democrats carried on as the sectional party of the South and host to any remaining Populist sentiments Significance of the Election of 1896

Significance of the Election of 1896 Populist Party declined after 1896, soon ceased to be national party In the South, the Populists gave up trying to unite black and white farmers Racism was stronger than common economic interests Many of the reforms of the Populist agenda were taken up by both Democrats and Republicans during the Progressive Era Significance of the Election of 1896

Significance of the Election of 1896 Clear victory for big business, urban centers, conservative economics, and middle-class values Last hope for rural America to reclaim its dominance in American politics This election marked the triumph of the values of modern industrial, urban America over rural ideals of Jefferson and Jackson McKinley would emerge as the first modern president Took the U.S. from being relatively isolated to a major player in international affairs Mark Hanna created the model for organizing and financing successful campaigns and using the mass media to your advantage Significance of the Election of 1896

Why was William Jennings Bryan such a popular figure for the Democrats? Why did the Populists decided to merge with the Democrats? What two major changes caused the Democrat-Populist ticket to lose in the 1896 election? Briefly describe McKinley’s presidency. What was the significance of the election of 1896 for: Republicans Populists American society and politics ?