1. Turning Point in American Politics: 1896

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 election?
Briefly describe McKinley’s presidency.
What was the significance of the election of 1896 for:
Republicans
Populists
American society and politics ?