Final answer:
In 1898, the Populist and Republicans formed a combined political entity known as the fusion ticket, most notably in North Carolina, to defeat Democratic candidates by merging their political strengths.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1898, the Populist and Republicans joined forces in certain states to increase their political power and were collectively known as the c. fusion ticket. This political strategy was a way to consolidate the efforts of both parties to defeat the dominant Democratic candidates in regions where they prevailed. The fusion ticket was most notably successful in North Carolina where it enjoyed a sweeping victory in the 1894 legislative and gubernatorial elections.
The idea of fusionism was a pragmatic approach to politics where, instead of competing separately and allowing the dominant party to win by default, these unlikely allies combined their resources. By doing so, they managed to elect officials who represented their shared interests, despite otherwise having different political ideologies. The fusion ticket strategy is an early example of third-party impact on American politics, illustrating the dynamics and flexibility within the U.S. political system