At the end of the 19th century, national politics became dangerously paralyzed as Democrats and Republicans, evenly divided, fought for power. Better organization, strict party loyalty, and broad ideological similarities left neither party in charge. There were, however, distinctions between the two main parties. Democrats, concentrated in the South and Republicans, stronger in Northern cities. Cultural differences have also divided the parties. Democrats tended to belong to the "ritualistic" religious sect. For example, Catholicism, Judaism, and more formal forms of Protestantism that did not focus on dictating the conduct of others. Republicans were often "pietistic" Protestants who favored a politics of morality, social control, and forceful government. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay How did the Farmers' Alliance and the People's Party attempt to solve the problems faced by farmers? The Farmers' Alliance and the People's Party attempted to resolve the problems in response as farmers organized themselves, first into local chapters or "granges" of the Patrons of Agriculture, then into the more economically oriented Farmers' Alliance. In the 1870s, Grangers succeeded in enacting state "Granger Laws" regulating shippers and processors and lobbied Congress to create a Federal Interstate Commerce Commission (1887). The Southern and Northern Alliances developed agricultural cooperatives, and by 1890 their candidates were winning local and state elections. In 1892 the Alliances called a national convention of farmers, workers, and other reformers and nominated candidates for president and vice president. How did the 1896 election resolve the political stalemate of the late 19th century? The next presidential election in 1896 brought about a decisive political realignment. Republicans nominated Senator William McKinley of Ohio and firmly supported gold as the nation's monetary standard. Democrats split on this issue, with the Northern wing favoring gold and the Southern and Western wing favoring the addition of silver as a basis for minting money. In 1896 the Republicans became the dominant party, finally breaking the policy of paralysis with a powerful coalition. Centered in the industrial cities of the North and the far West, they would dominate national politics for most of the next three and a half decades. Once in power, the Republican Party became a powerful instrument of government. Well organised, with modern advertising and management techniques and relying on an executive with a national agenda, they oversaw the economic recovery. At the dawn of the new century, deep divisions of race and class still divided the nation, but confidence reigned as McKinley guided the country toward a promising future of prosperity at home and empire abroad. What social, economic, and cultural factors attracted the United States? States in a race for empire? After the Civil War, some Americans still considered annexing Canada or Mexico, or both. William Henry Seward envisioned growing American connections with the Far East strengthened by a canal to be built through Central America, a transcontinental railroad, and island possessions acquired to support an expanded U.S. Navy. Supporters of some form of American empire also argued for the economic benefits of such a policy, proclaiming the need for new markets for American products. Others.