1896 Alternate Version.

This is an alternate version of VCCzar’s 1896 Scenario, I’ve adjusted regional issue centers to make certain regions friendlier to certain candidates. For example, I made the South and West, more friendly to Pro-Silver, and Anti-Tariff candidates, and made New England more friendly to Pro-Gold, Protectionist candidates, to prevent situations like McKinley winning Alabama, and Bryan winning Vermont.

I’ve added The National Party, the Socialist Labor Party, and a default off Populist party.

What if the populist party nominated it’s own candidate for president rather than co-nominating Bryan? What if Silver Republican Senator, Henry Teller ran for President? What if Eugene Debs ran an election early? All these question and more, can be answered with this scenario.

Updated on June 16th 2019.

I fixed Seymour F. Norton’s attributes and platform from when I copied him over from William Jennings Bryan, I also added Virginian Senator, John W. Daniel, a noted supporter of the “Lost Cause of the Confederacy” myth, who historically declined to be nominated. I changed how many PIPs each candidate has,and finally, I added a “God Meddler” ‘candidate’ in the Simulation ‘party’, for if you want to influence the election.

United States – 1896 Alternate V1.5

President Infinity 1896 Election

1896GeneralElection

*This election was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 24, 2017. It can be downloaded here: United States – 1896 v. 2.0

The 1896 election focused primarily on the Panic of 1893 financial crises. Unemployment was high and the economy was shaky. The incumbent Bourbon Democrat (Fiscally conservative, pro-Gold Standard) president, Grover Cleveland, decided not to run for a 3rd term, partially because he was becoming increasingly unpopular in the West and much of the South. The argument for improving the economic welfare of the people centered on silver and gold. Bourbon Democrats and mainstream Republicans, both conservatives, wanted a Gold Standard. Moderate Republicans and mainstream Democrats wanted both gold and silver to back currency (bimetallism). Populist Democrats and Republicans advocated Free Silver, as the believed silver, rather than gold, would increase their standard of living. All other issues were of secondary importance.

For Republicans, the mainstream element flocked to the popular and respected William McKinley of Ohio. However, he faced some competition from powerful Speaker of the House Thomas Bracket Reed, Pennsylvania party boss Matthew Quay, former Vice President Levi P. Morton and respected Senator William B. Allison. They embraced the Gold Standard. As such, many Silver Republicans voted Democrat.

The Democrats, rebuking President Cleveland, dropped the Gold Standard from their platform and embraced bimetallism. As such, all the nominees were pro-silver candidates. Richard “Silver Dick” Bland had a long history of promoting silver and was the favorite. However, 36-year-old William Jennings Bryan was the rising star of the party, as he condemned the Gold Standard by saying,  “you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” Other leading Silverites competed. Overall, a fairly competitive convention. Gold Democrats either voted for McKinley or voted for the 3rd Party National Democrats.

This election has two third parties, both which were primarily single issue. The National Democrats tried to split the Democratic Party to prevent the Democratic silver platform. Their ticket included to ancient politicians: John Palmer and former Confederate General Simon Boliver Buckner, both in their 70s. The Prohibition Party aimed at passing prohibition laws.

The election allows for several what-ifs:

  • What if former Republican president Benjamin Harrison ran for a non-consecutive second term? He left office unpopular, but with silver back on the table, could a silver-tolerant Republican with presidential experience get back in the office?
  • As usual, Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of our great president, was pushed to run. What if he had?
  • Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts was the leader American Imperialist in the Senate, advocating expanding America’s military might and possessions. He was a mentor for Teddy Roosevelt and other politicians greatly in favor for war with Spain and the acquisition of territories outside the United States. What if he had run?
  •  What if Grover Cleveland ran for a 3rd term? He would have received every Gold Democrat vote, but could he convince Silver Democrats that voting for him was the best bet to beat Republicans?
  • What if Grover Cleveland had accepted the National Democrat nomination? Would a sitting president rebuke his own silver-happy party and run as a 3rd party for the proponents of gold? Can Cleveland do more than just split the Democratic vote?

Feedback is desired to improve the scenario.