Question

What important key figures were involved in the Populist Party?

A) George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
B) Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant
C) William Jennings Bryan and Tom Watson
D) John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson

Answer 1

The correct answer is option C) William Jennings Bryan and Tom Watson.

Step-by-step explanation:

The key figures involved in the Populist Party during its prominence in the late 19th century were William Jennings Bryan and Tom Watson. Bryan, a Democrat from Nebraska, was supported by the Populists due to his stance on monetary policy and his famous 'Cross of Gold' speech, which opposed the gold standard. He was the Democratic nominee for president, endorsed by the Populists in the 1896 election. Tom Watson, a Senator from Georgia, was the vice-presidential candidate nominated by the Populist Party in an attempt to maintain its separate identity.

Despite their efforts, the Populist Party ultimately failed to secure enough support in urban areas, losing to William McKinley, who championed the gold standard. The lack of success on a national scale led to the decline of the Populist Party, though its influence persisted in some of its policies being adopted by the major parties later on.