In 1896, William McKinley (Republican) won 271 of 447 electoral votes, defeating William Jennings Bryan by 95 EV during the Progressive Era era. In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democratic) won 472 of 531, defeating Herbert Hoover by 413 EV during the New Deal Coalition era. Turnout: 79.6% vs 56.9%.
vs
1896
Progressive Era
William McKinley
Republican
Electoral votes
271 of 447
EV margin
95
Popular vote
51.0%
Turnout
79.6%
Runner-up
William Jennings Bryan (Dem)
Republican William McKinley defeated populist Democrat William Jennings Bryan in a watershed election that realigned American politics for a generation. Bryan, fusing the Democratic and Populist parties, electrified the nation with his 'Cross of Gold' speech demanding free silver coinage to help debtors. McKinley ran a front-porch campaign funded by industrialist Mark Hanna, appealing to urban workers and business interests with promises of prosperity through high tariffs. The Republican Party would dominate presidential politics for the next 36 years.
1932
New Deal Coalition
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Democratic
Electoral votes
472 of 531
EV margin
413
Popular vote
57.4%
Turnout
56.9%
Runner-up
Herbert Hoover (Rep)
Franklin Roosevelt won in a massive landslide over incumbent Herbert Hoover as the Great Depression devastated the nation. With 25% unemployment, Hoover was blamed for economic catastrophe and humiliated at the polls. Roosevelt promised a 'New Deal' for the American people and brought hope with his famous declaration that 'the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.' FDR built a broad coalition of urban workers, farmers, ethnic minorities, and the Solid South that would dominate American politics for decades.