Curated OER
History Matters:"pitchfork Ben" Tillman Addresses the 1896 Democratic Convention
Ben Tillman, senator from South Carolina, gave a speech at the Democratic Convention in 1896, advocating for the free coinage of silver, the same issue addressed in a later speech by William Jennings Bryan. Read Tillman's speech here,...
Curated OER
History Matters: Senator David Bennett Hill Defends the Gold Standard
Read this speech given by Senator David Bennet Hill of New York at the Democratic Convention in 1896. A key issue in that convention was whether the United States should go back on the gold standard. This speech clearly shows that Hill...
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: The Gold National Democratic Party
This resource for Political Cartoons addresses the Democratic Party that could not stomach their party's new silver platform and the nomination of William Jennings Bryan.
Vassar College
Vassar College: Democratic Party Platform, July 9, 1896
This "1896, A Website for Political Cartoons" site provides text of the actual platform stating the Democratic stand on "The Money Question." of 1896.
Vassar College
1896: Election Results
The outcome of the popular vote for president in 1896 was close. Read about the electoral votes, see maps showing the popular vote for McKinley and Bryan, and follow the chart that shows the votes for all those running for president....
Northern Illinois University
Illinois in the Gilded Age: 1896: The Cross of Gold
This is a very informative look at the politics involved in the campaign of 1896 where one of the main issues was the conflict between the gold standard and free silver. Read about the results of the election and the defeat of Populist...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: A Biography of America: The Elections of 1896 1900
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...
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Populism: 1896 Election
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson allows students to read two Populist speeches in order to explain why the...
Harp Week
Harp Week: The Presidential Elections: 1896 Mc Kinley v. Bryan
A three-page look at the campaign and election of 1896 in which William McKinley, the Republican candidate, ran against Wiliam Jennings Bryan, the Democratic candidate. Read about the nominating conventions, the platforms, and the...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Agrarian Distress and the Rise of Populism
Article outlines the rise of the Populist Movement in the U.S. as a result of a declining economy, agrarian distress and dissatisfaction with American politics in late 19th Century.
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: Sectional Interests
Website explores "sectionalism" and the political cartoons associated with the 1896 presidential election. Also, includes quotes from publications around the country.
Vassar College
Vassar School: 1896: A Website of Political Cartoons: Protective Tariffs
This site is provided for by Vassar College. 1896, A Website of Political Cartoons provides a look at the controversial topic of Tariffs in the election of 1896 and the cartoons it generated at the time.
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: The Populist Party
This great resource from 1896, A Website of Political Cartoons from Vassar College discusses "The Rise of Populism" to "The End of Populism--or Not?"
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: The Currency Question: The Gold Standard
This site is provided for by the Vassar College. "The bitter controversy surrounding the issues of `Free silver' and `sound money,' so central to the 1896 campaign, has proved difficult for historians to explain." However, this 1896, a...
Vassar College
Vassar College: 1896: Populist Party Platform
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,...
Vassar College
Vassar: 1896: The Presidential Campaign: Cartoons and Commentary
This extensive site from the Vassar College on the 1896 presidential election includes links to cartoons, parties and platforms, leaders, campaign themes, and special features.
Vassar College
1896: The Republican Party
From the comprehensive Vassar College project about the politics of 1896, this article relates the state of the Republican Party in that year and its party platform for the election of 1896.
Vassar College
1896: Hanna, the Republicans, and Labor
Mark Hanna, William McKinley's campaign manager in the campaign of 1896, was an enigmatic political figure. Read about his supposed support of the working man, contrasted with his appeal to prominent businessmen in soliciting their...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Mark Hanna
A brief biography of Republican Party "kingmaker," Mark Hanna, who was primarily responsible for the candidacy of William McKinley in the election of 1896.
Other
Education Extras: Presidential Election of 1896 [Pdf]
In this lesson learners first explore the party platforms of the Republican, Democratic, Populist, and Greenback Parties. They then read informational texts and complete a graphic organizer about the readings. After students share their...
Other
Authentic History Center: The Election of 1896
Detailed description of the issues, politicians, and campaigns that were a part of the 1896 election in the United States. William McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan and became President. Includes many primary sources.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Marcus A. Hanna
Read this interesting biography of Marcus Hanna, successful Ohio businessman, Repbublican Party supporter, and close friend of President William McKinley.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: William Mc Kinley: The Campaign and Election of 1896
Read about the campaign of 1896 in which William McKinley represented the Republican Party and William Jennings Bryan the Democratic Party. One big issue was the contrast between the use of the gold standard as opppsed to free silver.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: William Jennings Bryan, Free Silver
This 3-page Library of Congress article provides information on William Jennings Bryan and the Free Silver Movement of 1896.