Why did the populist movement break up after the election of 1896?
Democrats adopted several populous causes
They lost support for an eight hour workday
People tired of a lack of prosperity
It’s members decided to adopt the gold standard
There are several reasons why the populist movement broke up after the election of 1896:
1. Democrats adopted several populist causes: After the election, the Democratic Party, represented by William Jennings Bryan, adopted some of the key populist ideas, such as free silver and government regulation of railroads. This led some populists to believe that their goals were being achieved through the Democratic Party, reducing the need for a separate populist movement.
2. Loss of support for an eight-hour workday: The populists had advocated for an eight-hour workday, among other labor reforms. However, with the economic recession of the 1890s, many workers lost their jobs and were willing to work longer hours to secure employment. This shift in priorities undermined the populists' push for shorter working hours and weakened their support.
3. People tired of a lack of prosperity: The populists had promised significant economic reforms to address the hardships faced by farmers and workers. However, after the election, the economic situation did not improve rapidly, and people grew tired of waiting for prosperity. This disillusionment with the lack of immediate change weakened the populist movement and its appeal.
4. Decision to adopt the gold standard: Some factions within the populist movement believed that adopting the gold standard, which was favored by the Republican Party, would stabilize the economy and attract support from urban voters. This decision divided the populist movement, as many members were staunch supporters of free silver and the bimetallism that the movement had initially advocated for.
Overall, a combination of these factors contributed to the break-up of the populist movement after the election of 1896. The adoption of populist causes by the Democrats, a shift in priorities among workers, disillusionment with the lack of prosperity, and internal divisions over adopting the gold standard all played a role in weakening and splintering the movement.