CLEP US History II

Answer: C - The 1924 Democratic National Convention was the most arduous brokered convention in American history, requiring 103 ballots before a majority of delegates could agree on a candidate. Frontrunners Alfred E. Smith and William G. McAdoo split the party for the first 102 ballots, until back-room deals finally allowed dark horse candidate John W. Davis to become the nominee. Prohibition and several other issues proved to be contentious topics as the voting wore on. The newly restarted Ku Klux Klan played a prominent role at the convention, leading to the event being called the “Klanbake.” Exchanges involving KKK-affiliated delegates were so intense that violence broke out between state delegations. Candidate Al Smith was Catholic, which provoked an outcry from KKK members, who detested Catholics almost as much as they hated African-Americans. Davis ultimately lost to Calvin Coolidge in the general election.