Why were eastern mining areas so pro-McKinley in the election of 1896?

[Libertas Vel Mors]

In Idaho, Arizona, and Montana, copper mining areas went overwhelmingly for Bryan. For instance, Kootenai County ID, home to Cour D'alene, voted 80-19 for Bryan. But every county on the Upper Peninsula, and 2/3 on the Iron Range, voted for McKinley. Why?

[Torie]

In Idaho, Arizona, and Montana, copper mining areas went overwhelmingly for Bryan. For instance, Kootenai County ID, home to Cour D'alene, voted 80-19 for Bryan. But every county on the Upper Peninsula, and 2/3 on the Iron Range, voted for McKinley. Why?

They confused iron with gold?  Best of luck in getting to "the bottom" of this.

[UncleSam]

Days until April 1: 305

Apologies if you do actually care about the answer to this but this really feels like a joke thread.

[TransfemmeGoreVidal]

The upper midwest was more protectionist at that time and deeply Republican going back to the Civil War.

[Libertas Vel Mors]

Days until April 1: 305

Apologies if you do actually care about the answer to this but this really feels like a joke thread.

I do care.

The upper midwest was more protectionist at that time and deeply Republican going back to the Civil War.

Yes, but why were Upper Midwestern miners protectionist, but not Western minors? And why were Idaho miners so willing to give up their Republicanism but not, say, Michigan miners?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Days until April 1: 305

Apologies if you do actually care about the answer to this but this really feels like a joke thread.

I do care.

The upper midwest was more protectionist at that time and deeply Republican going back to the Civil War.

Yes, but why were Upper Midwestern miners protectionist, but not Western minors? And why were Idaho miners so willing to give up their Republicanism but not, say, Michigan miners?

Iron+Coal > Steel

Steel was the dominant industry of the second Industrial Revolution and it was rather pro-tariff. Since the Republicans were seen as being favorable to the steel industry through tariffs, this was in turn seen as helping the coal and iron mines indirectly.

[Libertas Vel Mors]

Days until April 1: 305

Apologies if you do actually care about the answer to this but this really feels like a joke thread.

I do care.

The upper midwest was more protectionist at that time and deeply Republican going back to the Civil War.

Yes, but why were Upper Midwestern miners protectionist, but not Western minors? And why were Idaho miners so willing to give up their Republicanism but not, say, Michigan miners?

Iron+Coal > Steel

Steel was the dominant industry of the second Industrial Revolution and it was rather pro-tariff. Since the Republicans were seen as being favorable to the steel industry through tariffs, this was in turn seen as helping the coal and iron mines indirectly.

And what was it that made Western copper miners so pro-Bryan?

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Days until April 1: 305

Apologies if you do actually care about the answer to this but this really feels like a joke thread.

I do care.

The upper midwest was more protectionist at that time and deeply Republican going back to the Civil War.

Yes, but why were Upper Midwestern miners protectionist, but not Western minors? And why were Idaho miners so willing to give up their Republicanism but not, say, Michigan miners?

Iron+Coal > Steel

Steel was the dominant industry of the second Industrial Revolution and it was rather pro-tariff. Since the Republicans were seen as being favorable to the steel industry through tariffs, this was in turn seen as helping the coal and iron mines indirectly.

And what was it that made Western copper miners so pro-Bryan?

I remember reading that in 1896 even the business establishment in Colorado (which had a lot of copper mining) favored Bryan, who proceeded to take almost or above 80 percent of the vote.