U.S.-History-Sourcebook---Basic

6.6. Electoral College Maps –The Heyday of Populism http://www.ck12.org

6.6 Electoral College Maps –The Heyday of Populism

Source: Modern maps of the state-by-state Electoral College vote in 1892 and 1896, taken from Wikipedia. In
1892, Harrison was the Republican candidate, Cleveland was the Democrat, and Weaver was the Populist. In 1896,
McKinley ran as the Republican and won. William Jennings Bryan was originally the Democratic candidate. The
Populist party also endorsed Bryan, after he agreed to support their main economic issue, a dollar backed by silver
rather than gold. The “Cross of Gold Speech,” excerpted above, shows Bryan’s appeal to the populists, but the issue
can be confusing. To learn more, please consult a textbook.(Figure 6.8).(Figure 6.9).

FIGURE 6.8

1892 Electoral College Vote

FIGURE 6.9

1896 Electoral College Vote

Questions:

1. In 1892, what region of the country was most strongly Populist? Why do you think that was?


2. In 1892, what region of the country was mostly Democratic? What region was mostly Republican?