What was a significant issue during the 1896 presidential election

The 1896 Presidential election was the was 28th presidential election, In the election former governor William McKinley (Republican Candidate) was defeated by the Democrat William Jennings Bryan. The campaign was held during the economic depression of 1893. This election ended the third party system and began the fourth party system. The depression was the worst financial crisis in the American history and the voters were angry with the present system. The many factors which led to the Bryan's defeat were the free silver idea which could affect the factory workers.

Bryan was the nominee of the Democrats, the Populist Party, and the Silver Republicans. He was strongest in the South, rural Midwest, and Rocky Mountain states. Economic issues including bimetallism, the gold standard, free silver, and the tariff, were crucial.