Election of 1900 Essay Example For Students

Election of 1900 Essay Election of 1900The presidential election of 1900 was between candidates William McKinley, William Bryan, John Wooley, Eugene Debs. Although the race only really consisted of McKinley and Bryan it was still a close race by far. McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio, on January 29, 1843, the seventh child of William and Nancy Allison McKinley. Young McKinley grew up a serious boy, possessed of a quiet determination to succeed. He attended school in Poland, Ohio, and then went to Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. William Byran was born March 19, 1860. He was unsuccessful candidate for President of the United States, at 36 he was the youngest person ever nominated for that office by a major political party. He was nominated a total of three times but never attained the office. His statue represents Iowa in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol BuildingThe campaign itself was largely a replay of the race in 1896- with Bryan campaigning rigorously and McKinley not venturing from the White House. The issue of currency and silver was no longer relevant, and instead the campaign issues were whether the United States should give independence for the territories received in its war with Spain. Although not a landslide shift comparable to election swings in the 20th century, McKinleys victory ended the pattern of close popular margins that had characterized elections since the Civil War. McKinley received 7,218,491 votes (51.7 percent) to Bryans 6,356,734 votes (45. 5 percent)-a gain for the Republicans of 114,000 votes over their total in 1896. McKinley received nearly twice the number electoral votes than Bryan did. In congressional elections that year, Republicans held fifty-five Senate seats to thirty-one for the Democrats; and the McKinleys party captured 197 House seats compared to 151 for the Democrats. Indeed, the Republican Party had become the majority political party in the nationAfter four years in office, McKinleys popularity had risen, primarily because of his image as the victorious commander-in-chief of the Spanish-American War. McKinley was elected as president of 1901. This was his second term as president. But not to long into his term he was shot. He spent eight days in the hospital before he died. Teddy Roosevelt his vice president became president after that to finish of his term. The election was very close and either candidate could have easily won. In the end McKinley became president and did a very good job the short time he was in. He helped shape our country to what it is today and he very well deserved to be elected.