Election of 1896 Response
Natalie Sellers
Mrs. Jumper-Period 5
AP US History
6 February 2013
Election of 1896 The election of 1896 between the Republicans, gold Democrats, silver Democrats, Prohibitionists, People’s Party, Socialists/Labor Party, and the Silver Party ended in the election of Republican candidate William McKinley. I personally believe McKinley was the correct choice for America during the election. Several of the other parties remained neutral on certain policies that were troubling our country while others chose to focus entirely on one principle, ignoring several problems facing the US. The Republican Party promoted the Dingley Tariff, preventing foreign workforces to take jobs from desperate American citizens, the Gold Standard, a fixed international currency that American specie would be based on, women’s suffrage, and the rights of colored people. Taking a stand on several issues ignored by other parties, the Republicans stood in a way which simultaneously appealed to the largest voting mass and did the most to advance American people. With each political stance, McKinley stabilized the problems facing Americans and others involved in our economic and political systems. By preventing mass immigration to continue, he allowed several Americans to find work where it had previously been difficult. The Gold standard, although thought to risk and ruin farmers with debts, stabilized the fragile American economy allowing it to flourish after the election. By standing for women’s suffrage and colored rights, McKinley included those who felt oppressed by former American leaders and laws giving them American support and allowing them to advance in all aspects of America. McKinley’s political and economic views made him the best candidate for the election of 1896 and the best 25th President for
Mrs. Jumper-Period 5
AP US History
6 February 2013
Election of 1896 The election of 1896 between the Republicans, gold Democrats, silver Democrats, Prohibitionists, People’s Party, Socialists/Labor Party, and the Silver Party ended in the election of Republican candidate William McKinley. I personally believe McKinley was the correct choice for America during the election. Several of the other parties remained neutral on certain policies that were troubling our country while others chose to focus entirely on one principle, ignoring several problems facing the US. The Republican Party promoted the Dingley Tariff, preventing foreign workforces to take jobs from desperate American citizens, the Gold Standard, a fixed international currency that American specie would be based on, women’s suffrage, and the rights of colored people. Taking a stand on several issues ignored by other parties, the Republicans stood in a way which simultaneously appealed to the largest voting mass and did the most to advance American people. With each political stance, McKinley stabilized the problems facing Americans and others involved in our economic and political systems. By preventing mass immigration to continue, he allowed several Americans to find work where it had previously been difficult. The Gold standard, although thought to risk and ruin farmers with debts, stabilized the fragile American economy allowing it to flourish after the election. By standing for women’s suffrage and colored rights, McKinley included those who felt oppressed by former American leaders and laws giving them American support and allowing them to advance in all aspects of America. McKinley’s political and economic views made him the best candidate for the election of 1896 and the best 25th President for