1896 : the party background -- The Democrats in power, 1893-1896 -- "The people against the bosses" : the Republican nomination of William McKinley -- Democrats divided : the Democratic convention at Chicago -- Bryan takes the stump -- The also-rans : the People's Party and the Gold Democrats in the campaign of 1896 -- The front porch campaign : McKinley and the Republicans in the 1896 election -- "An excitement that was almost too intense for life" : Election Day, 1896 -- McKinley's America : the election's aftermath.