The Election of 1896: The Rise of Fall of the Populist Party
Document A:
“If the gold standard advocates win, this country will be dominated by the financial harpies of
Wall Street. I am trying to save the American people from disaster- which will mean the
enslavement of the farmers, merchants, manufacturers, and laboring classes to the most merciless
and unscrupulous gang of speculators on earth-the money power... We have petitioned, and our
petitions have been scorned; we have been disregarded; we have begged, and they have mocked
when our calamity came. We beg no longer; we entreat no more; we petition no more. We defy
them... Having behind us the producing masses of this nation and the world, supported by the
commercial interests, the laboring interest, and the toilers everywhere, we will answer their
demand 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.”
-William Jennings Bryan
Democratic National Convention (1896)
1.Who does Bryan believe benefits from the gold standard? ______________________________
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2. What groups does Bryan believe oppose the gold standard? ____________________________
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3. Why do you think Bryan refers to the gold standard as a “cross of gold” and a “crown of
thorns?” ______________________________________________________________________
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Document B:
1. What book is Bryan standing on?
_______________________________
_______________________________
2. What does the fact that Bryan is
standing on the book imply about his
respect for it? ____________________
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3. The tags on the cross and crown both
read “Used by Bryan.” What do you
think the cartoonist believes about
Bryan’s implied claim that God is on his
side? ________________________
_______________________________
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Document C:
_______________________________
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“Men, vote as you please, but if Bryan is elected... the whistle will not blow
Wednesday morning.”
-Factory Owner, 1896
1. What does this document suggest about the sympathies of business men? _________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why does this factory owner believe that it would not be in the best interest of workers to vote
for Bryan? _____________________________________________________________________
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Document D: McKinley Campaign Poster
1. Look at the slogan
written on the pails.
What did McKinley
promise workers?
___________________
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2. How are McKinley
and Bryan bills
different?
___________________
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3. According to the
cartoon, what will
happen if the
government adopts a
“free silver” policy?
___________________
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Document D:
The 1896 Presidential Election
Electoral Votes
Bryan:
176
McKinley:
271
1. How many electoral votes did each candidate receive? ________________________________
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2. How many states did each candidate carry? ________________________________________
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3. What states or regions are typically considered agricultural? ____________________________
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4. What states or regions are typically considered industrial? ______________________________
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5. Which region of the country had the largest population? _______________________________
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6. What does the map suggest about the groups that supported each candidate? ______________
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