Question

respond - as a politician william jennings bryan won national renown for his attack on the gold standard and his tireless promotion of free silver and policies for the benefit of the average american - bryan worked from within the __ party to advance populist causes - in 1895 - 1896, bryan launched a national speaking tour in which he promoted the free coinage of silver - he believed that by inflating american currency, could alleviate farmers debts. in contrast, republicans championed the gold standard and a flat money supply - the conclusion of one of bryans speeches went: \...we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.\ - in early 1900, congress passed the gold standard act, which put the country on the gold standard, effectively ending the debate over the nations monetary policy - at the peoples party convention of 1896, they nominated bryan as the populist candidate as well - this strategy of temporary \fusion\ movement fatally the movement and the party - populist __ moved from the radical - yet - still - weak peoples party to the more moderate - yet - powerful democratic party
look it up: in economics, what is the \gold standard\? does the united states operate under the gold standard today?
analyze: how did bryans \cross of gold\ speech use imagery to play to populist interests?

Explanation:

William Jennings Bryan was a prominent politician. He campaigned against the gold - standard and for free silver to help the average American, especially farmers. His "Cross of Gold" speech used powerful imagery like "crown of thorns" and "crucify mankind upon a cross of gold" to appeal to populist interests. The People's Party (Populist) had a strategy of temporary fusion which had consequences for the movement. Populist voters later shifted to the Democratic Party. In economics, the gold standard is a monetary system where a country's currency is directly linked to gold. The US no longer operates under the gold standard today.

Answer:

1. Bryan worked from within the Democratic Party to advance populist causes.
2. In 1895 - 1896, Bryan launched a national speaking tour in which he promoted the free coinage of silver.
3. He believed that bimetallism (by inflating American currency) could alleviate farmers' debts.
4. In early 1900, Congress passed the Gold Standard Act, which put the country on the gold standard, effectively ending the debate over the nation's monetary policy.
5. At the People's Party convention of 1896, they nominated Bryan as the Populist candidate as well.
6. This strategy of temporary "fusion" movement fatally divided the movement and the party.
7. Populist voters moved from the radical - yet - still - weak People's Party to the more moderate - yet - powerful Democratic Party.
8. In economics, the gold standard is a monetary system where a currency's value is directly tied to gold. The US does not operate under the gold standard today.
9. Bryan's "Cross of Gold" speech used imagery such as "crown of thorns" and "crucify mankind upon a cross of gold" to play to populist interests by evoking strong emotional and religious connotations, framing the gold - standard as an oppressive force on the working - class and farmers.