For Many Years, Historians Interpreted the 1896 Election as the Challenge

question 31

Essay

For many years, historians interpreted the 1896 election as the challenge of the people against the candidate of big business and the status quo. Explain why this view has largely fallen into disfavor, and why more of the people voted for McKinley. Are there any elements in the traditional view worth retaining?

---

Definitions:

Earnings Per Share

A financial ratio that measures the amount of a company’s profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock, indicating the company's profitability.

Common Shareholders

Individuals or entities that own common stock in a corporation, thus holding a share of the ownership and typically having voting rights.

Public Company

A company whose shares are traded freely on a stock exchange, subject to regulatory and reporting requirements.

Stock Split

A corporate action where a company divides its existing shares into multiple shares to boost the liquidity of the shares, though the overall value of the shares remains the same.