To answer this question correctly, students must draw on their knowledge of the past to determine whether the passage was from the platform of the Republican Party or the Democratic Party in 1896. Successful answers might explain that the passage was likely part of the Democratic Party’s platform because the Democrats included the coinage of silver in their 1896 platform or that a large majority of Republicans opposed free silver at the time. Successful answers could also reason that the passage was likely part of the Democratic Party platform because Democrats had adopted the Populist Party’s central issue (free silver) in 1896.
Level: Proficient
Student explains that this was part of the Democratic Party’s platform because it reflects the party’s position on coining silver as legal tender at the time.
Level: Emergent
Student decides that the passage was part of the Democratic Party’s platform but provides vague reasoning.
OR
Student decides that the passage was part of the Democratic platform, but their answer makes both correct and incorrect or unclear statements about the differences between the two parties at the time or about the content of the document.
OR
Student shows a correct understanding of the differences between the two parties at the time but selects the Republican Party, presumably because they have misunderstood the content of the document.
Level: Basic
Student’s explanation shows a significant misunderstanding about the differences between Republican and Democratic positions in 1896, regardless of which party they selected.
OR
Student’s explanation is incorrect, unclear, or unrelated to the differences between Republicans and Democrats at the time.
