Final answer:
The election of 1896 was important as it marked a major shift in American politics and set the stage for the dominant political parties of the 20th century. It was the first modern election, fought primarily through mass media. William McKinley's victory and the rise of the Populists had significant implications for the future of American politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The election of 1896 was important for several reasons. First, it marked a major shift in American politics and set the stage for the dominant political parties of the 20th century. The election was a battle between William McKinley, the Republican candidate, and William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic candidate. McKinley ran on a platform of industrialization and sound money, while Bryan focused on agrarian issues and free silver. The election also saw the rise of Populist candidate James Weaver, who represented the interests of farmers and laborers.
The 1896 election is considered the first modern election because it was one of the first elections in which campaigns were fought primarily through mass media. Both McKinley and Bryan used techniques such as newspaper advertisements, campaign buttons, and public speeches to try to sway voters. The election also marked the beginning of highly organized and well-funded political campaigns, with McKinley raising large sums of money from wealthy industrialists to support his campaign.