Cross of Gold Speech

Definition

The Cross of Gold Speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan at the Democratic National Convention in 1896, advocating for the free coinage of silver to inflate the currency and aid struggling farmers and workers. This powerful address solidified Bryan's position as a leading figure in the Populist movement, emphasizing the struggles of the working class against the gold standard that favored industrialists and banks. Bryan's speech is often viewed as a pivotal moment in American political history, marking a significant shift toward populism during the Gilded Age.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Cross of Gold Speech was delivered on July 8, 1896, and became one of the most famous speeches in American political history.
2. In his speech, Bryan declared, 'You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold,' emphasizing the negative impact of the gold standard on farmers and laborers.
3. Bryan's speech gained him the Democratic nomination for president in 1896, making him one of the youngest candidates ever to run for the office.
4. The speech helped unite various factions within the Democratic Party and played a key role in pushing for bimetallism, which aimed to allow both gold and silver as currency backing.
5. Although Bryan lost the election to Republican William McKinley, his speech left a lasting legacy and influenced future political movements focused on monetary reform.

Review Questions

• How did Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech reflect the economic struggles of farmers and workers during the Gilded Age?
  • Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech highlighted the economic hardships faced by farmers and workers who were burdened by debt and falling prices for their goods. By advocating for the free coinage of silver, he aimed to increase the money supply, which would help inflate prices and make it easier for indebted farmers to repay loans. The speech resonated with many who felt marginalized by an economic system that favored wealthy industrialists and banks over ordinary citizens.
• Evaluate the impact of Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech on the Democratic Party's platform during the 1896 election.
  • Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech significantly shaped the Democratic Party's platform by introducing populist themes centered around monetary reform and support for agrarian interests. His rhetoric about the struggles of ordinary Americans galvanized support from various groups disillusioned with the status quo, leading to a platform that emphasized bimetallism as a solution to economic woes. This marked a shift in Democratic ideology, embracing broader populist sentiments that would influence future elections and party alignments.
• Analyze how the themes presented in Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech reflect broader societal tensions in America during the Gilded Age.
  • The themes in Bryan's Cross of Gold Speech encapsulate broader societal tensions during the Gilded Age, including economic inequality, class conflict, and a growing divide between urban industrialists and rural agrarians. As industrialization advanced, many Americans felt left behind by a system that prioritized corporate profits over individual welfare. Bryan’s passionate defense of farmers and workers against what he termed 'the interests' articulated a collective frustration with an economy that seemed rigged against them. This populist message not only resonated in 1896 but also laid groundwork for future movements advocating for economic justice and reform.

Related terms

Populism:

A political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often against the elite or established institutions.

Gold Standard: A monetary system where a country's currency or paper money has a value directly linked to gold, limiting the amount of money in circulation.

Silverite: A supporter of the free coinage of silver, which was seen as a way to expand the money supply and stimulate economic growth.