William Jennings Bryan: “Cross of Gold” Speech

Questions for Further Study

• 1. How did the circumstances of the Democratic National Convention and the debate at Chicago about the gold standard work to Bryan's advantage as a potential nominee? What had he done to ensure that his address had maximum political impact?
• 2. What was Bryan's view of American society in 1896? Did he argue that there were serious class and regional divisions? What was his interpretation of the role of farmers and rural residents in the life of the nation?
• 3. What place did Bryan envision for the federal government in the operation of the monetary system? How did he distinguish himself from his opponents?
• 4. What was Bryan's opinion on the merits of international bimetallism as a solution to the crisis between silver and gold?
• 5. In what ways did Bryan attempt to identify the Democrats who favored free silver with the broad currents of American history?
• 6. Why did Bryan's speech have the effect that it did on the delegates in Chicago?