William Jennings Bryan and the 1896 Election

Question 1

Why the populist party significant in the 1896 election?

Answer 1

By 1896, the Populist Party had enough support to have a decisive vote in the Democratic nomination. They chose Bryan who had Populist beliefs.

Question 2

Who was McKinley and Mark Hanna?

Answer 2

Republicans chose McKinley who had the support of Mark Hanna who was a businessman. Hanna spent $3 million supporting McKinley and used money to smear Bryan. Hanna spent 1,500 speakers to undecided places and paid for millions in campaign literature. Bryan used traditional methods and travelled 28,000 km and gave 600 campaign speeches.

Question 3

Why did McKinley win?

Answer 3

McKinley won because Bryan couldn’t win a single state in the North-East where workers and bosses feared silver. The economy by 1896 was also improving.

Question 4

Did the populists recover?

Answer 4

Populists never recovered from 1896 and membership fell by 1900, with Populists retiring from politics or joining a main party.

Question 5

Despite this

Answer 5

Progressives adopted many of the aims of the Populist Party.

The Party had electoral successes with 45 members serving in Congress between 1861 and 1902.