The Election of 1896 Gallery Walk/Stations Activity

Do your students need to learn about the Election of 1896? Do you want your students to learn about William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley? Do you want your students to learn about free silver, the gold standard, tariffs, and diverse voting coalitions? If you answered YES to any of these, this assignment is perfect for you.

By 1896, America was a different nation. Business boomed and busted. Millions of immigrants left Europe and Asia for a new life and the American Dream. At the same time, Americans from all walks of life debated. Many disagreed on what role the government should play in the economy, and how our nation's money supply should operate.

Although the Election of 1896 was over 100 years ago, its legacy impacts America today. In his famous "Cross of Gold Speech," William Jennings Bryan Criticized America's economic system by saying “There are two ideas of government. There are those who believe that if you just legislate to make the well-to-do prosperous, that their prosperity will leak through on those below. The Democratic idea has been that if you legislate to make the masses prosperous their prosperity will find its way up and through every class that rests upon it.” As Karl Rove said in an interview about his book on the election of 1896, Bryan in 1896 was Bernie Sanders at age 36.

Similarly, in 1896, and in his time in office, William McKinley supported tariffs to protect American industry and American workers. Like Donald Trump in 2016, McKinley cruised into office thanks to the votes of working-class ethnic Catholics (Irish and Germans) in the Great Lakes states.

Regardless of how you feel about Trump, Sanders, McKinley, Bryan, or Rove, it is obvious to many that 1890s Americans debated many similar issues Americans debate today!

This assignment aims to make learning about the Election of 1896 FUN! My students loved this and I know yours will too!

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS DOCUMENT:

1. A packet for students to take notes on

2. Reflection questions

3. Stations: These include tables, infographics, a picture of the candidates, and a number.

4. High-quality color word documents

5. DO NOW Activity

Please feel free to edit and modify this document as you see fit!

ANSWER KEY NOT INCLUDED

As always, feel free to write a review, follow, and contact me with any questions.