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Primary
American Presidency Project

American Presidency Project: Democratic Party Platform of 1896

For Students 9th - 10th
The text of the Democratic Party Platform for the important presidential campaign of 1896. Interesting to see how contemporary the issues seem.
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Website
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: A Biography of America: The Elections of 1896 1900

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about all the factions involved in the campaign and election of 1896 and see how the Democratic Party was split, which resulted in the election of Republican William McKinley. The last part of this essay talks about the campaign of...
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Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Thomas E. Watson

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of Tom Watson, a Georgia reformer and congressman, who advocated the ideas of the Farmers' Alliance and eventually became a Populist Party leader. Includes picture.
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Primary
Curated OER

History Matters: Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech: Mesmerizing the Masses

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains the text of the "Cross of Gold" speech delivered by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896 Democratic National Convention. This brings up an important point of view in the free silver controversy in which America debated between the...
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Handout
Vassar College

Vassar College: 1896: Populist Party Platform

For Students 9th - 10th
This 1896, Website of Political Cartoons page presents the People's (Populist) Party platform of 1896. The platform discusses the finances, railroads and telegraphs, the public lands, the referendum, the territories, public salaries,...
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Graphic
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Texas Joins the Battle: Cartoon, Houston Daily Post, March 30, 1896

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is a political cartoon showing showing the split between those who favored the gold standard and those favoring the silver standard, and how the Populist Party took advantage of that split. Learn what this means by taking a look at...