Class Conflict: Plowholders vs Bondholders

The campaign pitted Democrat William Jennings Bryan (below) against Republican William McKinley. The main focus of this campaign was supposed to be about the economic depression and free trade, but William Jennings Bryan turned this into the issue of free silver. Bryan was able to campaign in twenty seven states and made over 600 speeches (including 36 in one day). His free silver idea was praised by many who believed that silver would lead America out of a huge depression.

However, there was heavy opposition to this free silver idea. This was mainly among the eastern conservatives who believed that their money was in jeopardy of changing into 50cent dollars. These gold bugs did what ever was in their power to prevent Bryan from taking the presidency. Enter, Mark Hanna (below) who was chairman of the Republican National Committee by kissing up to McKinley. Hanna (above) was able to reject the plutocrats abd raise up money for "education" (propaganda). McKinley's followers were also successful campaigners as their budged outnumbered the Democratic budged in a 16:1 ratio. All the Democrats thought they bought the election. The democrats took even larger tolls due to the power of large business owners were threatening to pay in 50 cent pieces if Bryan won. This led to even more fear of the free silver and more supported McKinley. This paid off when McKinley (below) won 271-176 electorial-wise and about 7M people to 6.5M popular-wise. Why did McKinley win? Though Bryan was strong in the south and west, the north still had the bulk of society. These were workers who felt threatened by free silver and free trade that would damage their respective companies. They believed this would lead to inflation which was superfluous. Why important? Though it had a familiar story with older elections of the privaledged few vs everyone else, Bryan was able to make a theory that would change the social order. This election would ultimately preserve the economy, the big cities, and the thriving businesses. This also secured Republican dominance for the last half of the nineteenth century which would ultimately lead to less voter participation, weakening of party organizations, the end of the issues of money and civil service reform, and the growth of industrial regulation and labor welfare.

(as much resentment and discomfort I had about putting up this picture, the late nineteenth century was the era of their dominance)