2.2 The Election of 1896

Question 1

Who were the biggest supporters of the Republican party?

Answer 1

Big businesses and urban workers who benefited form the rise of industrialisation

Question 2

What was Bryan’s campaign like?

Answer 2

• Strong speaker
• Did numerous ‘whistle stop’ tours by train, making 600 speeches
• Biblical

Question 3

What was McKinely campaigned like?

Answer 3

Had money and did not do tours

Question 4

What role did Mark Hanna have in the 1896 election?

Answer 4

He was a wealthy businessman who spent $3 million supporting the Republican candidate, McKinely. He sent 1,500 speakers into electoral areas where voters seemed undecided which candidate to vote for and paid for campaign literature

Question 5

What other reasons led to McKinely’s victory?

Answer 5

• Democratic Party divided
• Not all the party supported Bryan
• high protective tariff and protectionist policies of the Republicans

Question 6

By how many votes did McKinely win the election?

Answer 6

600,000

Question 7

What was the outcome of the 1896 election?

Answer 7

• A period of Republican dominance
• Continuing weakness of the Democrats
• An end to Populism