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Causes
The Panic of 1896 had roots in the Panic of 1893, and is seen as a continuation of that economic depression.

William Jennings Bryan
Democratic and Populist candidate William Jennings Bryan implored Americans to drop the gold standard and reinstate the coinage of silver. Bryan was an orator that gave many speeches on the issue, with the most famous one being his "Cross of Gold" speech delivered on July 9, 1896. Bryan became both the Democratic and Populist party nominee due in part to his stances on the issues of the gold standard, which he believed could alleviate the Panic of 1896.

William McKinley
Republican candidate William McKinley wished to remain on the gold standard, unlike his opponent, Bryan. Many bankers and businessmen were disturbed by Bryan's silver rhetoric, and McKinley was able to win the election, and kept the United States on the gold standard by signing the Gold Standard Act in 1900 in an attempt to stop thebimetallism movement.