During the second portion of the nineteenth century, an enormous demographic transformation took place as millions of people poured into the western...

During the second portion of the nineteenth century, an enormous demographic transformation took place as millions of people poured into the western frontier. They were drawn by what appeared to be a limitless abundance of natural resources and the elusive aspiration to become individually self-sufficient. The challenge of settling the frontier was daunting.  Isolation, geographic obstacles and competition with large urban corporations employing millions of immigrant laborers created a disparity of wealth and concomitant power.  Determined to redress the balance, they championed the "free silver" crusade of William Jennings Bryan and were overwhelmed in the election of 1896.  What diverse circumstances transformed expectations and realities between the rural and urban components of the nation?  What cultural and political values clashed and which ideas established the foundation for American preeminence during the twentieth century?  Does the disparity in political influence appear familiar more than a century later? Carefully document your analysis.