**1900 United States presidential election in Maine**
**Definition:**
The 1900 United States presidential election in Maine was the segment of the nationwide presidential election held on November 6, 1900, in which voters in Maine chose four electors to the Electoral College. These electors ultimately voted for the Republican incumbent President William McKinley and his running mate Theodore Roosevelt, who won the state by a significant margin over Democratic challenger William Jennings Bryan.
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# 1900 United States presidential election in Maine
The 1900 United States presidential election in Maine was part of the broader national election held on November 6, 1900. In this election, voters in Maine selected four electors to represent the state in the Electoral College, which formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States. The contest in Maine featured the incumbent Republican President William McKinley and his new running mate, Theodore Roosevelt, against the Democratic nominee William Jennings Bryan and his running mate Adlai Stevenson I. McKinley won Maine decisively, continuing the state’s trend of supporting Republican candidates during this era.
## Background
### Political Context in Maine
At the turn of the 20th century, Maine was a reliably Republican state. Since the Civil War, the Republican Party had dominated Maine’s political landscape, largely due to its association with Union victory and abolitionism. The state’s economy, based on shipbuilding, fishing, lumber, and manufacturing, aligned with Republican policies favoring protective tariffs and industrial growth.
The 1896 presidential election had seen William McKinley defeat William Jennings Bryan in Maine by a wide margin, reflecting the state’s support for the gold standard and opposition to Bryan’s free silver platform. By 1900, the political environment was shaped by the country’s recent victory in the Spanish-American War, economic recovery following the Panic of 1893, and debates over imperialism and American expansionism.
### National Political Climate
The 1900 election was essentially a rematch of the 1896 contest, with McKinley seeking a second term and Bryan attempting to unseat him. McKinley’s presidency had been marked by economic prosperity and the acquisition of overseas territories such as the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Theodore Roosevelt, the popular former Governor of New York and hero of the Spanish-American War, was McKinley’s new vice-presidential running mate, replacing Garret Hobart, who had died in 1899.
Bryan campaigned on anti-imperialism, criticizing McKinley’s expansionist policies and advocating for the rights of the working class and farmers. However, his message found limited resonance in Maine, where voters generally supported the Republican vision of economic growth and national strength.
## Candidates
### Republican Party
– **William McKinley** (Ohio) – Incumbent President seeking re-election.
– **Theodore Roosevelt** (New York) – Former Governor of New York and Rough Rider hero, running for Vice President.
### Democratic Party
– **William Jennings Bryan** (Nebraska) – Former Congressman and 1896 Democratic presidential nominee.
– **Adlai Stevenson I** (Illinois) – Former Vice President under Grover Cleveland.
## Campaign in Maine
The campaign in Maine was characterized by strong Republican organization and enthusiasm. McKinley’s message of prosperity, stability, and national pride resonated with Maine voters, many of whom benefited from protective tariffs that shielded local industries from foreign competition.
Bryan’s campaign faced challenges in Maine due to his opposition to imperialism and his advocacy for free silver, which was unpopular among the state’s business interests and conservative voters. Additionally, Roosevelt’s popularity as a war hero helped energize the Republican ticket.
Local newspapers and political leaders in Maine largely supported McKinley and Roosevelt, emphasizing the benefits of continued Republican leadership. Bryan’s campaign efforts were more subdued, focusing on rural areas and labor groups but failing to gain significant traction.
## Election Results
On November 6, 1900, Maine voters cast their ballots overwhelmingly in favor of William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. McKinley won all four of Maine’s electoral votes.
| Candidate | Party | Popular Vote | Percentage |
|————————-|————-|————–|————|
| William McKinley | Republican | 65,412 | 61.89% |
| William Jennings Bryan | Democratic | 38,924 | 36.82% |
McKinley’s margin of victory in Maine was approximately 25 percentage points, reflecting the state’s strong Republican leanings. The remaining votes were split among minor party candidates, who had negligible impact on the overall outcome.
## Analysis
### Republican Dominance
The 1900 election in Maine reaffirmed the state’s status as a Republican stronghold. McKinley’s policies promoting industrial growth, protective tariffs, and a strong national defense aligned with the interests of Maine’s voters. The state’s economic recovery and the patriotic fervor following the Spanish-American War further bolstered Republican support.
### Impact of Theodore Roosevelt
The addition of Theodore Roosevelt to the Republican ticket energized the campaign in Maine. Roosevelt’s reputation as a war hero and progressive reformer appealed to many voters, particularly younger and more reform-minded Republicans. His presence on the ticket helped solidify the Republican coalition in the state.
### Democratic Challenges
William Jennings Bryan’s platform, centered on anti-imperialism and free silver, failed to resonate with Maine’s electorate. The state’s economic interests and political culture favored the status quo, making it difficult for Bryan to gain significant support. His loss in Maine mirrored his national defeat.
## Aftermath
Following the election, William McKinley was inaugurated for a second term in March 1901. However, his presidency was cut short by his assassination in September 1901, leading to Theodore Roosevelt’s succession to the presidency. Roosevelt’s rise to the presidency marked a new era in American politics, with increased emphasis on progressive reforms and a more assertive foreign policy.
In Maine, the 1900 election reinforced the Republican Party’s dominance, which would continue well into the 20th century. The state’s political alignment remained largely unchanged, with Republicans consistently winning presidential elections for decades.
## Historical Significance
The 1900 presidential election in Maine is significant for several reasons:
– It demonstrated the continued strength of the Republican Party in New England during the early 20th century.
– The election reflected broader national trends, including support for economic protectionism and imperialism.
– The presence of Theodore Roosevelt on the ticket foreshadowed his future role as a transformative president.
– The election underscored the challenges faced by the Democratic Party in appealing to voters in industrial and maritime states like Maine.
## Conclusion
The 1900 United States presidential election in Maine was a decisive victory for William McKinley and the Republican Party. The election results reflected Maine’s political and economic priorities at the time, including support for protective tariffs, economic growth, and a strong national defense. Theodore Roosevelt’s addition to the ticket added vigor to the campaign and helped secure a commanding win. The election set the stage for Roosevelt’s eventual presidency and continued Republican dominance in Maine’s political landscape.
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**Meta Description:**
The 1900 United States presidential election in Maine saw incumbent President William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt win decisively over William Jennings Bryan, reflecting the state’s strong Republican leanings and support for economic protectionism.