The election of 1900, the first presidential contest of the 20th century, pitted incumbent Republican President William McKinley against Democratic challenger William Jennings Bryan in a rematch of 1896. What began as a fairly straightforward campaign ended in an unexpected and dramatic conclusion that would shape the century ahead.
Economy & Imperialism
Following his victory in the election of 1896, William McKinley presided over a recovering nation. The economy rebounded from the Panic of 1893, and American businesses flourished. His adherence to the Gold Standard gained traction, diminishing the once-heated debate over silver coinage.
Abroad, McKinley presided over a dramatic expansion of U.S. influence. After the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain in 1898. The short Spanish–American War resulted in the U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, as well as temporary control over Cuba.
Yet imperialism brought new challenges. The bloody Philippine–American War broke out as Filipinos resisted U.S. rule, and debates raged at home over whether America should become an empire. These tensions loomed large as McKinley prepared to run for re-election.
The New Running Mate
McKinley’s vice president, Garret Hobart, died in 1899, leaving the GOP to find a new running mate. Their choice was Theodore Roosevelt, the dynamic Governor of New York and hero of the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill.
Party bosses, including New York Senator Thomas Platt, thought putting Roosevelt on the national ticket would remove him from state politics and tame his reformist zeal. Ironically, this decision would soon backfire, propelling Roosevelt to the presidency. Though initially reluctant, Roosevelt accepted the role and energized the Republican ticket.
Bryan’s Second Chance
The Democrats turned once again to William Jennings Bryan, who had electrified his party with the “Cross of Gold” speech in 1896 but lost to McKinley. Bryan’s running mate was Adlai Stevenson, Cleveland’s former vice president.
This time, Bryan emphasized two themes: Free Silver and anti-imperialism. But with the economy improving, his Free Silver message lost traction, and many Americans supported McKinley’s imperial victories rather than Bryan’s calls to retreat.
The Anti-Imperialist League
Opposition to McKinley’s foreign policy coalesced in the Anti-Imperialist League, formed in 1898. Its members included famous figures such as Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, and former presidents Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison.
The League argued that annexing the Philippines betrayed America’s founding principles of self-determination. Bryan allied himself with their message, but his weakened economic platform and lingering labor mistrust limited its impact.
Campaigns and Strategies
McKinley once again used the Front Porch Campaign, welcoming delegations to his home in Canton, Ohio. His message was simple: prosperity and peace through stability. The Republican slogan, “Four More Years of the Full Dinner Pail,” emphasized economic recovery. Roosevelt, meanwhile, traveled widely, giving fiery speeches that electrified crowds.
Bryan, by contrast, tirelessly toured the country, speaking against the Gold Standard and imperialism. Yet his warnings fell flat compared to the tangible prosperity voters felt under McKinley. His association with labor unrest, especially Cleveland’s handling of the Pullman Strike of 1894, also hampered his appeal to workers, even as unions remained skeptical of Republicans.
The Results
With Utah newly added to the Union, the magic number for victory was 224 electoral votes. William McKinley secured a decisive win:
- McKinley (Republican): 292 electoral votes, 51.6% popular vote
- Bryan (Democrat): 155 electoral votes, 45.5% popular vote
Voter turnout was a robust 73%, and McKinley expanded his margin over Bryan from 1896, cementing public approval of Republican leadership.
Assassination & Ramifications
McKinley’s second term, however, was tragically short. On September 6, 1901, he was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Although he initially seemed likely to recover, infection set in, and McKinley died on September 14.
With McKinley’s death, Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th president at just 42 years old, the youngest in history. Roosevelt’s unexpected rise ushered in a new era of progressive reforms, conservation efforts, and expanded presidential power—far beyond what party bosses had imagined when they tried to sideline him in 1900.
Conclusion
The Election of 1900 confirmed McKinley’s leadership and Republican dominance while highlighting America’s growing debates over imperialism. But its true legacy lies in the accidental elevation of Theodore Roosevelt, whose presidency transformed the office and defined the early 20th century.
Coming after the turning-point Election of 1896, the 1900 race closed the chapter on 19th-century politics and set the stage for the progressive battles that would dominate the Election of 1904 and beyond.
