Step-by-step explanation:
In 1896, the Democratic Party and the Populist Party joined forces and nominated William Jennings Bryan to run for president. Bryan was a prominent politician and orator who advocated for various populist and progressive reforms. He gave a famous speech at the Democratic National Convention known as the "Cross of Gold" speech, which emphasized his support for the free coinage of silver as a way to alleviate economic hardships. The fusion of the Democratic Party and the Populist Party in support of Bryan is often referred to as the "Populist-Democratic fusion" or the "Bryan-McKinley fusion" during the 1896 presidential election. However, Bryan was ultimately defeated by the Republican candidate, William McKinley.