The demise of the Populist Party was due to:
A) Lack of success by the party in elections
B) Prejudice against blacks within the party
C) The threat of the Democratic elite to use laws designed to deny blacks the vote to take away the vote of poor whites also
D) The beginning of World War I

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While lack of success in elections may have been a contributing factor, the main reason for the demise of the Populist Party was the threat of the Democratic elite to use laws designed to deny blacks the vote to take away the vote of poor whites also. This caused division within the party, as some members were willing to compromise on issues related to race while others were not. This ultimately led to the party's collapse. The beginning of World War I occurred several years after the Populist Party's decline, so it was not a direct cause.

The Demise of the Populist Party Was Due To