"The Political Puzzle"

Bryan, The Democratic/Populist candidate for president lost a close race in 1896.  The People's Party declined rapidly after (perhaps during) the campaign.  One reason was the severe split between fusionists and mid-roaders.  This division broke the most successful of Populism's three electoral coalitions (westerners and southerners).  After 1896, the two groups held separate conventions and the People's Party spent most of its energy on internal recriminations, which tore the party apart.

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