Question

question 2 of 10

william jennings bryan gained the support of both the democratic party and peoples party in the 1896 election by supporting

a. business owners and the wealthy.
b. small farmers and struggling citizens.
c. large farmers and the middle class.
d. bankers and large farmers.

Explanation:

Analyze the 1896 Election

The 1896 United States presidential election was a major political realignment. William Jennings Bryan secured the nomination of both the Democratic Party and the People's (Populist) Party.

Identify Bryan's core platform

Bryan's platform was heavily focused on "free silver" (bimetallism), which aimed to inflate the currency supply. This policy was designed to help debtors pay off their debts more easily.

Determine the supported demographic

The primary advocates for bimetallism and the Populist platform were agrarian workers and working-class citizens who were struggling economically under the gold standard. Therefore, Bryan gained his support by championing the interests of small farmers and struggling citizens, rather than wealthy business owners, bankers, or large-scale industrial farmers.

Answer:

• (A) business owners and the wealthy.
• (B) small farmers and struggling citizens. (Correct answer)
• (C) large farmers and the middle class.
• (D) bankers and large farmers.