What is a central reason why McKinley won the 1896 presidential election?

Answer 1

Every election has a lot to do with the political and economical situation of the country during and long before the election itself. Every event that happened before was to become a make-way. The Election of 1896 was the first modern and also the most complicated election in History. The fight was between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. There are many aspects that led William McKinley won the election despite he was supporting gold standard dislike Bryan supporting bimetallism.

William McKinley was from Ohio States. With the help of Rutherford B. Hayes, McKinley was elected as a Republican to the United States 3_Why_did_William_McKinley_win_the_election_of_1896of Representative and during 1877 to 1882. He was re-elected in 1885 for second term from 1885 to 1891. After leaving Congress, McKinley ran for Governor of Ohio where he got victory against Democrat James E. Campbell. He was reelected in 1883 over Lawrence T. Neal. As governor, he imposed an excise tax on corporation, secured safety legislation for transportation workers and restricted anti-union practices of employers. Governor McKinley left office in early 1896 and, at the instigation of his friend Marcus Hanna began actively campaigning for the Republican Party's presidential nomination. McKinley's well-known expertise on the tariff issue, successful record as governor, and genial personality appealed to many Republican voters. After winning the nomination, he went home and conducted his famous "front porch campaign." His opponent was William Jennigns Bryan, who was 41st United States Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson Presidency. He was nominated for presidential election. Contrary McKinley's Gold Standard, he supported only issue of "free silver" and money. McKinley was against silver because it was a debased currency and overseas markets used gold, so it would harm foreign trade. McKinley promised that he would promote industry and 3_Why_did_William_McKinley_win_the_election_of_1896and guarantee prosperity for every group in a pluralistic nation. A Democratic cartoon ridiculed the promise, saying it would rock the boat. McKinley replied that the protective tariff would bring prosperity to all groups, city and country alike, while Bryan's free silver would create inflation but no new jobs, would bankrupt railroads, and would permanently damage the economy. Bryan was known as very charismatic, emotional, conservative; due to his ethics and religious factors he lost a lot of votes from farmers from urban areas and ethnic groups. McKinley was able to succeed in getting votes from the urban areas and ethnic labor groups. Due to listed reasons above, McKinley was able to defeat Bryan by a large margin.

In summary, there were various reasons that lead to McKinley victory against the William Jennings Bryan. Strong background, supporting gold standard during inflation in economy, getting urban, religious and ethnic groups' votes are some aspect that Bryan was missing during 1896 election.